John Hutchinson

Colonel John Hutchinson (1615–1664) was an English politician and military leader who played a significant role during the English Civil War. He represented the House of Commons of England from 1648 to 1653 and briefly in 1660. Hutchinson was a prominent Puritan leader and served in the parliamentary army. As a member of the high court of justice in 1649, he was the 13th of 59 Commissioners who signed the death warrant of King Charles I. Post-Restoration, he was exempted from the general pardon, barring him from holding public office. Accused of involvement in the Farnley Wood Plot in 1663, he was imprisoned and died in custody. He invested very successfully in buying paintings from the art collection of Charles I after his execution, spending very large amounts relative to his wealth. After a few years, he resold them for substantial profits. Life Hutchinson was born to Thomas Hutchinson, the owner of Owthorpe Hall, and Margaret Byron. Margaret was the daughter of Sir John Byron of Newstead and Margaret FitzWilliam, who was herself the daughter of Lord Deputy Sir William FitzWilliam and Ann Sidney (daughter of Sir William Sidney). Hutchinson was baptised on 18 September 1615. He was educated at Nottingham Grammar School, followed by Lincoln Grammar School, where he found the Master, John Clarke, to be 'a supercilious pedant'. He later continued his studies at Peterhouse, Cambridge. In 1636, Hutchinson enrolled in Lincoln's Inn to study law, but soon shifted his focus to music and divinity, sidelining the study of law.