Francis Walsingham

Sir Francis Walsingham (1532-1590), an adviser to Queen Elizabeth I, is generally accepted to be the head of the first intelligence agency in the West. He is credited with personally developing a number of aspects of tradecraft, such as invisible inks and clandestine mail opening.

In 2006, a report from an English diplomat, Dr. Valentine Dale, to Walsingham was exhibited by the Library of Congress. He continued to provide intelligence of the Spanish Armada. He developed a comprehensive collection plan and employed a network of agents throughout Europe to gather information. He never blindly trusted any one source, using multiple agents against the same target. As the Armada preparations came to a head, Walsingham commissioned naval reconnaissance missions of key Spanish ports, and although his work provided strategic warning to the crown and the Royal Navy, contrary winds prevented tactical warning.