Thomas Wentwortb Strafford, earl of, an English statesman, born in London, April 13, 1593, executed on Tower hill, May 12, 1641. He was educated at Cambridge, travelled abroad, at the age of 21 inherited large family estates, and in 1614 was elected to parliament for the county of York. He was at first a leading member of the opposition, but in 1628 he was created by Charles I. Baron and Viscount Wentworth, joined the court party, and soon became the king's most trusted counsellor. He was appointed lord president of the council of the north, and in 1632 made governor of Ireland. His administration here was severe and unjust. He maintained that Ireland was a conquered country, and treated it as such. His object was to make his master an absolute monarch by means of an executive system which he called "thorough," and he boasted that in Ireland the king was "as absolute as any prince in the whole world." It is generally admitted, however, that the material condition of the people improved under his government, in spite of his despotic measures.

In January, 1640, he was created earl of Strafford and appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland. Later in the same year Charles put him in command of the army against the insurgent Scots, before whom the royal troops fled panic-struck, after the rout at Newburn (Aug. 28); and contrary to the strenuous advice of Strafford, the king accepted the terms imposed by the Scots. Dreading the meeting of the parliament which the king at this time, under compulsion, determined to summon, Strafford implored permission to return to Ireland. But Charles, pledging his royal word that "not a hair of his head should be touched by parliament," prevailed upon him to brave the issue. The assembly met on Nov. 3. On the 11th Pym appeared on the part of the commons at the bar of the house of lords, with a message of impeachment. The articles of impeachment accused Strafford of an attempt to subvert the liberties of the country. His guilt is placed beyond a doubt by evidence which has come to light since his death; but it was never proved by his accusers, and his defence, which he conducted himself with great eloquence and ability, was so strong that the house abandoned the original impeachment. A bill of attainder, brought into the lower house, was passed by a great majority.

The lords, in a panic, complied; and the bill was sent to Charles for his approval. The king made some endeavors to save him, but apprehended popular violence if he refused a warrant for the execution; and Strafford advised him by letter, for the sake of the public peace, to sacrifice a life which would be resigned cheerfully to a master who had bestowed such " exceeding favors." He moved from his prison to Tower hill with dignity. "I lay down my head," said he, after declaring his innocence, "as cheerfully as ever I did when going to repose." His attainder was reversed under Charles II. His " Letters and Despatches" were edited by Dr. Knowler (2 vols, fob, London, 1739). His life has been written by Elizabeth Cooper (London, 1874).