John Thurloe (1616-1668), Secretary of State
Sitter associated with 17 portraits
Thurloe was Secretary of State during Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate. His voluminous correspondence provides one of the chief historical sources for the Cromwellian era. In 1652, Thurloe was appointed Secretary to Cromwell's Council of State. Soon afterwards 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 was dismissed from office on the Restoration of the monarchy. Arrested for high treason, his life was spared in exchange for providing Charles II with important government documents.
by John Bulfinch, after Unknown artist
watercolour, (1650s)
NPG 4248
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, perhaps 18th century (1650s)
NPG 1033
by William Sherwin
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D28894
by William Sherwin
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D28916
by William Sherwin
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D16938
after Samuel Cooper
line engraving, mid to late 18th century
NPG D28921
Charles Fleetwood; Thomas Tollemache (Talmash); John Thurloe; Sir William Morice
by John June
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D17873
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Samuel Cooper, published by John & Paul Knapton
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D28918
by George Vertue, probably after William Dobson
line engraving, 1741
NPG D28919
by George Vertue, probably after William Dobson
engraving, 1741
NPG D19506
by Thomas Chambers (Chambars)
line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D28920
by Robert Dunkarton, after William Dobson
mezzotint, published 1813
NPG D4381
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Samuel Cooper
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D40321
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Samuel Cooper
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D40322
by George Vertue, probably after William Dobson
line engraving, 1741
NPG D40323
Politics, Government and Diplomacy
