Bogislaw studied at the University of Greifswald at the age of 14. At first, he was co-regent with his brother Johann Friedrich of Pomerania-Wolgast, but in 1569 he settled with control over Barth and Neuenkamp. There, he founded a printing house in 1582, publishing in 1588 the "Barth Bible", a bible in the Low German language, as translated by Johannes Bugenhagen. In 1587 he founded Franzburg to compete with Stralsund.
From 1603 until his death, he ruled in Pomerania-Stettin, which he inherited under the Inheritance Treat of Jasenitz of 1509 in case his two brothers John Frederick (d. 1600) and Barnim X (d. 1603) would both die childless. He kept his residence in Barth, and his eldest son, Philip II, acted as governor in Stettin.
He is remembered as a wise ruler, knowledgeable in the areas of economics and governance.
Werner Buchholz (ed.): Deutsche Geschichte im Osten Europas. Pommern. Siedler Verlag, Berlin 1999, ISBN3-88680-272-8, pp. 216, 233.
Martin Wehrmann: Geschichte von Pommern, 2d ed., vol. 2, Verlag Andreas Perthes, Gotha, 1921. Reprinted: Weltbild Verlag, Augsburg, 1992, ISBN3-89350-112-6.