Short answers, pulled from the story.
William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley arrived in the world on the 13th of September 1520 within the quiet village of Bourne, Lincolnshire. His father Sir Richard Cecil owned the Burghley estate near Stamford and served as a yeoman to King Henry VII.
William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley entered St John's College Cambridge to study under Roger Ascham and John Cheke. These scholars introduced him to Greek studies while he also courted Mary Cheke sister of his teacher.
Queen Elizabeth appointed Cecil as Secretary of State immediately after her accession in 1558 relying on him more than any other minister. The Queen herself praised his judgment stating he could not be corrupted by gifts nor unfaithful to the state.
Cecil persuaded Queen Elizabeth to execute Mary Queen of Scots in 1587 after she plotted assassination attempts. He made strong attacks on her actions until finally ordering execution in 1587 because Mary had become a rallying cause for Catholics playing into Spanish and papal hands following excommunication in 1570.
Cecil died at Cecil House London on the 4th of August 1598 after collapsing possibly from stroke or heart attack earlier that year. His younger son Robert took political mantle arranging smooth transfer to Stuart administration under James I.