John Hampden

John Hampden (1594-1643) was a famous English statesman and patriot, cousin to Oliver Cromwell, born in London. He passed through Oxford and studied law at the Inner Temple. Subsequently he settled down on his father's estate, and in 1621 entered Parliament, joining the opposition. He came first into conflict with the king by refusing to contribute to a general loan levied by Charles, and subsequently became famous by his resistance to the ship-money tax. He was a member of the Short Parliament, and played a prominent part in the more eventful transactions of the Long Parliament. An attempt on Charles's part to seize Hampden and four other members precipitated the Civil War. He took an active part in organising the Parliamentary forces, and proved himself a brave and skilful general in the field. He fell mortally wounded while opposing Prince Rupert in a skirmish at Chalgrove Field. Historians unite in extolling his nobility of character, statesmanship, and single-minded patriotism.

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John Harding, John Harrison, John Hawkesworth, John Henry Blunt, John Henry Dombrowski, John Henry Foley