WHITELOCKE (Bulstrode), an eminent politician, historian, and lawyer, was the son of Sir James Whitelocke, knight, one of the judges, and was born at London in 1605. He was educated in grammar-learning in Merchant-Taylors school, and became a gentleman-commoner in St John's college in Oxford; but before he had taken a degree, went to the Middle Temple, where he became eminent for his skill in the common law. In the beginning of the long parliament he was chosen a burgess for Marlow in Bucks, and was appointed chairman of the committee for drawing up the charge against the earl of Strafford, and one of the managers against him at his trial. He was appointed one of the lay-gentlemen to sit among the assembly of divines; in which he made a speech concerning the jus divinum of church government by presbytery. In 1648 he retired into the country, that he might not have any concern in the king's trial. In 1649 he was constituted keeper of the king's library and medals, which in 1647 he had hindered from being sold. In 1653 he went ambassador to Sweden. In 1656 he was chosen speaker of the house of commons pro tempore; and the year following was summoned by Oliver the Protector to sit in the other house, by the name of Bulstrode lord Whitelocke. In 1659 he was president of the council of state, and one of the committee of safety. He soon after retired into the country, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died in 1676. We are told that he acquitted himself with great success and reputation in all his employments, foreign and domestic. Several of his speeches were published; and beside his Memorials of the English affairs, he wrote many other pieces. Lord Clarendon has left this testimony in favour of Mr Whitelocke; whom, numbering among his early friends in life, he calls, "a man of eminent parts and great learning out of his profession, and in his profession of signal reputation. And though, (says the noble historian,) he did afterward bow his knee to Baal, and so swerved from his allegiance, it was with less rancour and malice than other men. He never led, but followed; and was rather carried away with the torrent than swam with the stream; and failed through those infirmities, which less than a general defection and a prosperous rebellion could never have discovered." Lord Clarendon has elsewhere described him, as from the beginning concurring with the parliament, without any inclinations to their persons or principles; and, says he, "he had the same reason afterwards not to separate from them. All his estate was in their quarters; and he had a nature that could not bear or submit to be undone: though to his friends, who were commissioners for the king, he used his old openness, and professed his detestation of all the proceedings of his party, yet could not leave them."