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Cecil, Robert, 1st Earl of Salisbury c.1563-1612
English statesman

Son of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, he entered parliament in 1584. He became a Privy Councillor in 1591 and was appointed Elizabeth I's Secretary of State in 1596. His control in the last years of the reign helped to smooth the succession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne as James I, and he was rewarded with an earldom in 1605. James kept him in office and he negotiated peace terms ending the long war with Spain (1604). Lord Treasurer from 1608, he was an efficient administrator and financial manager who fought a losing battle against mounting royal debts.