Stephen Borough was born in Devon on 25 September 1525. He became an English navigator involved in Tudor attempts to find a sea route around northern Europe to Asia.

In 1553, Borough sailed as master of the Edward Bonaventure on an expedition searching for a north-eastern passage. The ship was commanded by Richard Chancellor and was one of three vessels in the expedition led by Sir Hugh Willoughby. The ships became separated during the voyage. Chancellor and Borough reached the White Sea, while Willoughby and the crews of the other two ships later died after becoming stranded.

The expedition did not find the hoped-for passage to Asia. However, Chancellor travelled to Moscow and connected wth Ivan IV. The relationship helped develop direct English trade with Russia through the Muscovy Company.

Borough returned to Arctic waters in 1556 as commander of the Searchthrift. He sailed towards Novaya Zemlya and reached the strait leading towards the Kara Sea before turning back.

He later served in the English navy and became an experienced authority on navigation. Borough died in 1584.