Oliver Cromwell remains as controversial today as he was during his own lifetime. He emerged from fenland obscurity to become Lord Protector of a united republic of England, Scotland and Ireland: he was (with the brief exception of his son Richard) the only republican head of state in British history. Plentiful sources survive that shed light on his life and career, including extensive records of his own letters and speeches. Yet much about his beliefs and motives is still the subject of debate, and the nature of his historical achievement and legacy continues to inspire sharply divided opinions.
Cromwell was born in Huntingdon on 25 April 1599. He was the only surviving son of the younger son of a knight, a background that placed him on the fringes of the gentry and gave him a sense of
3129 words
Citation: Smith, David Lawrence. "Oliver Cromwell". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 27 January 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1079, accessed 22 November 2024.]
