From The Modern Encyclopedia, published in the early 1930s:
Oliver Cromwell. Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England. Born at Huntingdon, April 25, 1599, he studied law in London, where he married Elizabeth Bourchier. Returning to Huntingdon, he was its M.P., 1628-29. In the Short Parliament and the Long Parliament he represented Cambridge. When civil war broke out he organized his own district, and at Edgehill commanded a troop of horse. He then raised his Ironsides, who showed their quality at Marston Moor, and under him the new model army was victorious at Naseby.
In 1648 Cromwell crushed the Welsh rising and defeated the Scots at Preston. A member of the Rump, he signed the warrant for the king’s execution. In 1649 he put down civil war in Ireland with crushing severity. He routed the Scots at Dunbar, 1650, and the next year crushed the invading army of the young king at Worcester, thus ending the war. In 1653 Cromwell dissolved the Rump and formed a council of state. After the dismissal of the short-lived Barebones Parliament he was declared lord protector, with almost unlimited executive powers. His first elected parliament met in 1654; he dissolved it after five months, and placed the country under military administration. Offered the crown by the second parliament in 1657, Cromwell refused it. He died Sept. 3, 1658.
Cromwell left two sons and four daughters, all of whom married, Bridget being the wife of Ireton and then of Fleetwood. Of the sons, Richard (1626-1712) was named protector after his father’s death. In 1660 he retired and left England, but returned about 1680 and died July 12, 1712. Henry (1628-74) was lord deputy in Ireland, 1657-59.