John Thurloe

English statesman

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Quick Facts

Born:: June 1616

Died:: Feb. 21, 1668, London (aged 51)

Political Affiliation:: Roundhead

See all related content

John Thurloe (born June 1616—died Feb. 21, 1668, London) was an English secretary of state during Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate. His voluminous correspondence provides one of the chief historical sources for the Cromwellian era.

Thurloe entered politics as secretary to the Parliamentary leader Oliver St. John and in March 1652 was appointed secretary to Cromwell’s Council of State. Soon he became head of a vast intelligence service that operated throughout Europe, gathering information about Royalist plots to overthrow Cromwell’s government. He played a key role in the succession of Richard Cromwell as Lord Protector in 1658 and sat in the Parliament of 1659, but his influence waned after Cromwell’s fall the same year.

Upon the Restoration of Charles II in May 1660, he was arrested for high treason; his release was granted on condition that he provide the new government with information on the current state of England’s foreign policy.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.