Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was an English statesman, politician, and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of the British Isles. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1653 Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially as a senior commander in the Parliamentarian army and latterly as a politician. A leading advocate of the execution of Charles I in January 1649, which led to the establishment of The Protectorate, he ruled as Lord Protector from December 1653 until his death in September 1658. Cromwell remains a controversial figure due to his use of the army to acquire political power, and the brutality of his 1649 campaign in Ireland.

25 April 1599

Born on the same birth day (25 April): Daniel Kash • David Shepherd (artist) • Dominique Blanc • Felix Berezin • Femke Halsema • Gedhun Choekyi Nyima • Gwen Jorgensen • Hank Azaria • Johann Heinrich Buttstett • Kojo Tovalou Houénou • Lewis Baker (footballer) • Los Bravos • Marie-Michèle Gagnon • Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March • Ross Lockridge Jr.