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John Thurloe

(1616-1668), Secretary of State

Sitter associated with 18 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.

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John Thurloe, by Unknown artist - NPG 1033

John Thurloe

by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, perhaps 18th century, based on a work of 1650s
NPG 1033

John Thurloe, by John Bulfinch, after  Unknown artist - NPG 4248

John Thurloe

by John Bulfinch, after Unknown artist
watercolour, 1680-1728, based on a work of 1650s
NPG 4248

John Thurloe, after Samuel Cooper - NPG D28921

John Thurloe

after Samuel Cooper
line engraving, mid to late 18th century
NPG D28921

John Thurloe, by Jacobus Houbraken, after  Samuel Cooper, published by  John & Paul Knapton - NPG D28918

John Thurloe

by Jacobus Houbraken, after Samuel Cooper, published by John & Paul Knapton
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D28918

John Thurloe, by Jacobus Houbraken, published by  John & Paul Knapton, after  Samuel Cooper - NPG D40321

John Thurloe

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Samuel Cooper
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D40321

John Thurloe, by Jacobus Houbraken, published by  John & Paul Knapton, after  Samuel Cooper - NPG D40322

John Thurloe

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Samuel Cooper
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D40322

John Thurloe, by Jacobus Houbraken, published by  John & Paul Knapton, after  Samuel Cooper - NPG D42891

John Thurloe

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Samuel Cooper
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D42891

John Thurloe, by George Vertue, after  Unknown artist - NPG D28919

John Thurloe

by George Vertue, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1741
NPG D28919

John Thurloe, by George Vertue, after  Unknown artist - NPG D40323

John Thurloe

by George Vertue, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1741
NPG D40323

John Thurloe, by George Vertue, after  Unknown artist - NPG D19506

John Thurloe

by George Vertue, after Unknown artist
engraving, 1741
NPG D19506

John Thurloe, by Thomas Chambers (Chambars) - NPG D28920

John Thurloe

by Thomas Chambers (Chambars)
line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D28920

John Thurloe, by Robert Dunkarton, after  William Dobson - NPG D4381

John Thurloe

by Robert Dunkarton, after William Dobson
mezzotint, published 1813
NPG D4381

Web image not currently available

John Thurloe

by George Vertue, after Unknown artist
engraving, 1741
NPG D19647

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