Drury was the fifth but third surviving son of Sir Robert Drury (c1503–1577) of Hedgerley, Buckinghamshire, and Elizabeth Brudenell, the daughter of Edmund Brudenell of Chalfont Street Peter, Buckinghamshire. He was the grandson of Sir Robert Drury (c1456-1452 March 1535), Speaker of the House of Commons in 1495.
He was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1562 and 1584. He was a brother of Sir Robert Drury (1525–1593) and Sir William Drury (2 October 1527 – 13 October 1579). Drury matriculated from Street Edmund"s Hostel, Cambridge in Autumn 1544.
He was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1576.
During the reigns of Elizabeth and James I he was gentleman usher of the privy chamber. He seems to have kept in the good graces of the queen, except on one occasion.
In September 1579 he was knighted at Wanstead, Essex. He was elected Member of Parliament for Norfolk in 1584. and appointed custos rotulorum for the county in 1583.
In November 1586 he was sent to Fotheringay to assist Sir Amias Paulet in the wardership of Mary Queen of Scots.
He was nominated Lieutenant of the Tower of London in 1596. Drury died at his seat at Riddlesworth, Norfolk, aged about eighty-six, though on his monument the age of ninety-nine is given. His will of 7 July 1613 was proved in P.C.C. 31 May 1617 (registered 39, Weldon).
Drury married, firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Philip Calthorpe, and widow of Sir William Woodhouse of Waxham, Norfolk.
She brought him a moiety of Riddlesworth. Through her, he acquired the manor of Sewards in Linstead, and Perry Court at Preston, Kent.
Drury was a younger brother of Sir William Drury. in the British Museum. Drury is to be distinguished from a Drue Drury of Eccles and Rollesby, Norfolk, who married Anne, daughter and coheiress of Thomas, sixth baron Burgh of Gainsborough, and was knighted at Whitehall 23 July 1603, before the coronation of the king.
Drury was elected Member of Parliament for Mitchell in 1559 and for Camelford in 1562.
