Richard Cromwell

Profession: English statesman

Nationality:

Biography: Richard Cromwell an English statesman who served as the second Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, assuming the role upon the death of his father Oliver Cromwell in 1658. He only held this position for nine months as he lacked the authority of his father.

Upon succeeding to the role, Cromwell was quickly swamped by a number of disputers between army and civil society. He was unable to successfully mediate these, and the army eventually pushed him to renounce his position.

With the Restoration of 1660, Cromwell disappeared from the English isles and went to live in exile on the continent. He lived out most of the remainder of his life thus, only returning to England a short while before his death.

Cromwell long held the record for longest-lived British head of state, in that he did not die until past 85 years old. He was only supplanted in 2012 by Elizabeth II. Of course, the brevity of Cromwell's reign may well have aided in this achievement.

Born: October 4, 1626
Birthplace: Huntingdon, England
Star Sign: Libra

Died: July 12, 1712 (aged 85)