| William Borough | |
| Birth Date: | 1536 |
| Death Date: | 1599 |
| Allegiance: | England |
| Branch: | Royal Navy |
| Commands: | Bonavolia |
William Borough (1536–1599) was a British naval officer who was Comptroller of the Navy and the younger brother of Stephen Borough. He participated in the British attack on Cádiz in 1587.[1] He was responsible for the drawing of several early maps including one of Russia.[2]
Borough was born at Borough House, Northam Burrows, Northam, Devon, and his childhood experiences of voyages were those accompanying his older brother Stephen Borough and their uncle John Borough.[3] In 1580 Borough was appointed Comptroller of the Navy, which post he shared initially with William Holstocke.[3] In June 1583 he took ten pirate ships into custody and ensured that all ten masters were hanged at Wapping.[3] In 1587 he sailed with Sir Francis Drake and was indicted for mutiny and cowardice but later acquitted and given command of the galley Bonavolia.[3]
In 1571 he married Judith Jones; they had one son and one daughter.[3] He later married Lady Jane Wentworth.[3]