Famous 17th Century British Leaders

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 1 
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
(English Soldier and Statesman Who helped Defeat the 'Monmouth Rebellion' in 1685)
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
13
Birthdate: May 26, 1650
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ash, Musbury
Died: June 16, 1722

English statesman and soldier John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough was the second son of Sir Winston Churchill and is remembered for his contribution to wars such as the Monmouth Rebellion and the War of the Spanish Succession. He was once imprisoned in the Tower of London for Jacobitism.

 2 
Oliver Cromwell
(English Statesman)
Oliver Cromwell
26
Birthdate: April 25, 1599
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire, Kingdom of England
Died: September 3, 1658
The Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Oliver Cromwell was a military leader and a devoted Puritan who belonged to an affluent landowning family. During the English Civil War, Cromwell fought against King Charles I and caused the deaths of at least 3,000 soldiers and civilians.
 3 
Samuel Pepys
(Member of Parliament)
Samuel Pepys
6
Birthdate: February 23, 1633
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: London, England
Died: May 26, 1703
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 4 
Robert Walpole
(Prime Minister of Great Britain (1721-42))
Robert Walpole
7
Birthdate: August 26, 1676
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Houghton, Norfolk, England
Died: March 18, 1745
 5 
Prince Rupert of the Rhine
(German-English Army Officer, Admiral, Scientist and Colonial Governor)
Prince Rupert of the Rhine
3
Birthdate: December 17, 1619
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Prague, Czechia
Died: November 29, 1682

Prince Rupert of the Rhine was a German-English admiral, army officer, colonial governor, and scientist. Renowned for his energy and quick-thinking, Rupert made long-lasting and impressive contributions to the doctrine and development of the Royal Navy. He is also credited with shaping modern Canada's political geography. 

 6 
Richard Cromwell
(Statesman)
Richard Cromwell
4
Birthdate: October 4, 1626
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire, England
Died: July 12, 1712
 7 
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
(British Politician, Courtier and Master of the Horse (1616 - 1628))
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
4
Birthdate: August 28, 1592
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Brooksby, Leicestershire, England
Died: August 23, 1628

Rumored to be a possible lover of the English king James I, statesman George Villiers, was a royal favorite but later grew unpopular with people for his inefficiency and faulty foreign policies. He practically ruled England in the initial years of Charles I’s reign and was eventually assassinated by an army officer.

 8 
James Oglethorpe
(Founder of the colony of Georgia)
James Oglethorpe
3
Birthdate: December 22, 1696
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Surrey
Died: June 30, 1785

Remembered as the founder of the British colony of Georgia in the US, James Oglethorpe was a renowned British soldier, MP, and social reformer. Educated at Oxford, he initially fought for the Austrian army against the Turks. As an MP, he brought in prison reforms. He was also the governor of Georgia.

 9 
Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury
(Former Secretary of State of England (1596 - 1612))
Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury
3
Birthdate: June 1, 1563
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Westminster, London, England
Died: May 24, 1612

Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury was a British statesman best remembered for his contribution during the Union of the Crowns. One of the main discoverers of the infamous Gunpowder Plot, Robert Cecil served as the Lord High Treasurer from 1608 to 1612. From 1596 to 1612, he served as the Secretary of State of England.

 10 
Myles Standish
(Colonist)
Myles Standish
4
Birthdate: 1584 AD
Birthplace: Lancashire, United Kingdom
Died: October 3, 1656
 11 
Thomas Fairfax
(Political leader)
Thomas Fairfax
3
Birthdate: January 17, 1612
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Denton Hall, Wharfedale
Died: November 12, 1671
 12 
Edward Braddock
(military personnel)
Edward Braddock
3
Birthdate: 1695
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Perthshire
Died: July 13, 1755
 13 
William Laud
(Archbishop of Canterbury (1633–1645))
William Laud
3
Birthdate: October 7, 1573
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Reading, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom
Died: January 10, 1645
 14 
Charles James Fox
(Politician)
Charles James Fox
3
Birthdate: January 24, 1749
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Westminster, England
Died: September 13, 1806
 15 
Robert Devereux, 3rd earl of Essex
(Soldier)
Robert Devereux, 3rd earl of Essex
3
Birthdate: January 11, 1591
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: England
Died: September 14, 1646
 16 
Robert Harley, 1st earl of Oxford
(English statesman)
Robert Harley, 1st earl of Oxford
3
Birthdate: December 5, 1661
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: London, England
Died: May 21, 1724
 17 
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle
(Statesman)
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle
3
Birthdate: July 21, 1693
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London, England
Died: November 17, 1768
 18 
Thomas Wentworth, 1st earl of Strafford
(Noble)
Thomas Wentworth, 1st earl of Strafford
3
Birthdate: April 13, 1593
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London, England
Died: May 12, 1641
 19 
Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat
(Scottish Military Leader & Chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat)
Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat
3
Birthdate: January 5, 1667
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: England
Died: April 9, 1747

Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat was a Scottish military leader who served as the chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat. A Jacobite, Simon Fraser was among the Highlanders who were defeated at the Battle of Culloden and later sentenced to death after being convicted of treason against the Crown.  

 20 
George Monck, 1st duke of Albemarle
(Soldier)
George Monck, 1st duke of Albemarle
3
Birthdate: December 6, 1608
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Great Potheridge, England
Died: January 3, 1670
 21 
George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore
(Politician)
George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore
3
Birthdate: 1580 AD
Birthplace: Kiplin, England
Died: April 15, 1632
 22 
Nicholas Barbon
(British Economist, Financial Speculator and One of the First Proponents of the Free Market)
Nicholas Barbon
3
Birthdate: 1640 AD
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 1698 AD

The son of a preacher, economist Nicholas Barbon actively participated in reconstructing London following the Great Fire of 1666 and then launched his own insurance company, pioneering fire insurance. As an economist, he penned significant works on the free market and division of labor. He was also a qualified doctor.

 23 
Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington
(Politician)
Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington
3
Birthdate: 1673 AD
Birthplace: Compton Wynyates
Died: July 2, 1743
 24 
Henry Pelham
(Politician)
Henry Pelham
3
Birthdate: September 25, 1694
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Laughton
Died: March 6, 1754
 25 
John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby
(Former Lord Privy Seal)
John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby
2
Birthdate: September 8, 1647
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Died: February 24, 1721
 26 
Charles Spencer, 3rd earl of Sunderland
(British statesman)
Charles Spencer, 3rd earl of Sunderland
4
Birthdate: April 23, 1675
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Not Known
Died: April 19, 1722
 27 
William Petty
(British Economist, Philosopher and Physician Known for His Methods of Political Arithmetic')
William Petty
3
Birthdate: May 26, 1623
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Romsey, Hampshire, England
Died: December 16, 1687

Initially a physician and anatomy professor, William Petty also taught music. However, he later established himself as a noted economist and became famous for his works such as Treatise of Taxes and Contributions. He was a surveyor under Oliver Cromwell and was a pioneer of political arithmetic.

 28 
John Pym
(Member of Parliament)
John Pym
2
Birthdate: May 20, 1584
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bridgwater, England
Died: December 8, 1643
 29 
Sir Edmund Andros
(Colonial official)
Sir Edmund Andros
2
Birthdate: December 6, 1637
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: London, England
Died: February 24, 1714
 30 
Thomas West, 12th Baron De La Warr
(Politician)
Thomas West, 12th Baron De La Warr
3
Birthdate: July 9, 1577
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Wherwell, United Kingdom
Died: June 7, 1618
 31 
Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury
(Politician)
Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury
2
Birthdate: July 22, 1621
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: East Dorset, England
Died: January 21, 1683
 32 
John Lilburne
(Politician)
John Lilburne
2
Birthdate: 1614 AD
Birthplace: Sunderland, England
Died: August 29, 1657
 33 
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
(Politician)
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
3
Birthdate: January 30, 1628
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: London, England
Died: April 16, 1687
 34 
Henry Spencer, 1st earl of Sunderland
(English Cavalier)
Henry Spencer, 1st earl of Sunderland
2
Birthdate: November 23, 1620
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Althorp
Died: September 20, 1643
 35 
Edward Winslow
(Author)
Edward Winslow
3
Birthdate: October 18, 1595
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Droitwich Spa, England
Died: May 8, 1655
 36 
John Hampden
(Political leader)
John Hampden
2
Birthdate: 1595
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: London, England
Died: June 18, 1643
 37 
Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton
(Noblemen)
Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton
2
Birthdate: September 28, 1663
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Palace of Whitehall, London, England
Died: October 9, 1690
 38 
Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset
(Politician)
Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset
2
Birthdate: 1587 AD
Birthplace: Wrington, Somerset, England
Died: July 17, 1645
 39 
Henry Ireton
(Politician)
Henry Ireton
2
Birthdate: 1611 AD
Birthplace: Attenborough, Beeston, England
Died: November 26, 1651
 40 
Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich
(Admiral)
Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich
2
Birthdate: July 27, 1625
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Barnwell, England
Died: May 28, 1672
 41 
William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire
(Soldier)
William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire
2
Birthdate: January 25, 1640
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: United Kingdom
Died: August 18, 1707
 42 
William Russell, Lord Russell
(Politician)
William Russell, Lord Russell
2
Birthdate: September 29, 1639
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: England
Died: July 21, 1683
 43 
Alexander Spotswood
(Lieutenant-Colonel)
Alexander Spotswood
3
Birthdate: 1676 AD
Birthplace: English Tangier, Morocco
Died: June 7, 1740
 44 
John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
(Official)
John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
2
Birthdate: October 10, 1680
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Petersham, England
Died: October 4, 1743
 45 
Nathaniel Bacon
(Colonist)
Nathaniel Bacon
3
Birthdate: January 2, 1647
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Suffolk, England
Died: October 26, 1676
 46 
John Carver
(Voyager)
John Carver
2
Birthdate: 1584 AD
Birthplace: England
Died: March 31, 1621
 47 
Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk
(English commander)
Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk
2
Birthdate: August 24, 1561
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Died: May 28, 1626
 48 
Algernon Sidney
(Diplomat, Politician, Writer)
Algernon Sidney
2
Birthdate: January 15, 1623
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Baynard's Castle, London
Died: December 7, 1683
 49 
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke
(Politician)
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke
2
Birthdate: September 16, 1678
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Battersea, London, England
Died: December 12, 1751
 50 
Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet
(Preacher)
Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet
2
Birthdate: 1624 AD
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: July 19, 1684

English diplomat Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet was the person who lent his name to the iconic Downing Street in London. One of the first to graduate from Harvard, he was initially a preacher and then a military leader. An MP under Oliver Cromwell, he, however, supported the Stuart restoration later.