LUDLOW, EDMUND, was born at Maiden-Bradley in Wiltshire, about 1620. His father, Sir Henry Ludlow, a considerable landed proprietor in that county, and its representative in the Long Parlia ment, was an advocate of the democratic cause, which was likewise eagerly espoused by his son. Edmund Ludlow volunteered in Essex's army, and first engaged the king's forces at the battle of Edge-hill (1642): from this time, with only occasional interruptions, he filled such stations, military or civil, as rendered him an important partisan. He denounced the misgovernment of the king, and sought the destruc tion of the monarchy and the establishment of a commonwealth. He was one of the most active assistants in Colonel Pride's purge, one of the foremost of the king's judges, and one of the most eager voters for the annihilation of the House of Peers. His independence rendered him obnoxious to Cromwell, who, to impair his influence, sent him to Ireland with a military command (1650) : a politic expedient, since when Cromwell assumed the authority of Protector, Ludlow loudly protested against his elevation, and if he had been in England might possibly have impeded it. Consistent in his advocacy of an equal commonwealth, he refused, when he left Ireland, to yield Cromwell an unqualified submission. He was regarded with jealousy on account of this refusal, and security was required that he should not act in hostility to the government. His brother, Thomas Ludlow, privately furnished the security, and Ludlow retired into Essex, where he resided until Oliver Cromwell's death. He then resumed
his publio course; was active in parliament in the Committee of Safety, in the council of state, and again received a command of troops in Ireland. Accusations were afterwards brought against him by the council of officers ; he was called an opponent of the interests of the army, and charged with high treason. In consequence of these charges he travelled to London, resumed his seat in parliament, and there offered to enter ou his defence ; but such was the state of confusion at this time, Monk and his forces being daily expected in London, that he was neither heard nor were the proceedings him advanced any further. When the king was restored, Ludlow, justly estimating his insecurity, fled the country ; aud after narrowly escaping capture, landed at Dieppe, in September 1660. From Dieppe he went to Switzerland, and having visited Geneva and Berne, resided principally at Vevay. In 16S9, wearied with exile, be returned to England, hoping that his Offences as a republican were either forgotten or forgiven ; but he was disappointed; an arrest was threatened, and he was compelled again to fly to Vevay, where he died in 1693, aged seventy-three years. His memoirs were written in Switzerland, and first printed at Vevay, two volumes in 1693, and a third in the following year. (Ludlow, Memoirs.)