Oliver Cromwell - Samuel Rawson Gardiner - Part 1

The following work gives within a short compass a history of Oliver Cromwell from a biographical point of view. The text has been revised by the author. (From the preface to the 1909 edition) This biography considers closely both the actions and the motivations of Oliver Cromwell in the many roles he took on during his life. Gardiner is careful to put Cromwell into the context of his times -- turbulent, volatile and disorienting -- as the three Kingdoms of the Stuart dynasty were torn by bitter internal strife as well as making war upon each other. The author gives close attention to how Cromwell navigated the many crises he faced as an individual, as a member of parliament, as an officer in and then commander of the New Model Army, and finally leading the Commonwealth as Lord Protector. The author, Samuel Rawson Gardiner, was a distinguished English historian who taught and wrote during the Victorian period. He focused his scholarly work on the history of Britain during the 17th century. He is regarded as one of the preeminent historians of the period, whose groundbreaking research into sources remains foundational for scholars of the period to the present day. - Summary by Tom Booker