HAMPDEN, JOHN, the eldest eon of William Hampden, of Hamp den. in Buckinghamshire, and his wife Elizabeth, second daughter of Sir Henry Cromwell, of Flinchinbrooke, in Huntingdonshire, and aunt of the Protector, was born in London in 1594, and succeeded in his infancy to the estates of hia ancient and respectable family. He was educated first at a grammar school at Thame, afterwards at Magdalen College, Oxford, and in 1613 was admitted a student in the Inner Temple, where he made considerable progress in the common law. In 1619 he married at Pyrton, in Oxfordshire, Elizabeth, only daughter of Edmund Symeon, and for some years continued to lead a country life, entering freely into field aporta and other amusements of his age. His attention however was likewise directed to the political struggles of the day ; so that when the king was by necessity compelled to summon a parliament, Hampden became anxious for a seat in the lower house. The borough of Grampound first returned him to parliament; the borough of Wendover next elected him three succes sive times. He was then chosen by the county of Buckingham, and being doubly returned to the Long Parliament by the constituencies of Wendover and Buckinghamshire, he made his election for the county. In 1634 his wife, to whom he was tenderly attached, died, leaving nine children—three sons and six daughters : Elizabeth, the eldest, married Richard Knightley, of Fawaley, in Northamptonshire ; the second, Anne, became the wife of Sir Robert Pye, of Farringdon. Mrs. Knightley, Hampden's favourite daughter, died during the first year of the civil war. He married, for his second wife, Leetitia, daughter of Mr. Vachell, of Coley, near Reading : by this lady, who survived him, it does not appear that he had issue.
In the first short parliament to which he was elected, Hampden took no very forward part in the business of the house ; but his opinions coincided with those of Pym, Selden, and others of the popular party, who were determined to resist the unwarrantable encroachments of the crown upon the privileges of the parliament and the rights of the people. Gradually his influence increased both in and out of parliament, and especially in his native county of Buck ingham. At length his reputation became general. At the close of Charles L's second parliament, the king, in pursuance of his threat to resort to new modes of raising supplies, required a general loan ; to this loan Hampden resolutely refused to contribute, denying the king's right to demand it. In consequence of this refusal he was imprisoned in the Gate-house, removed thence in custody to Hampshire, but was afterwards, with seventy-six others, unconditionally liberated by an order of council. He now became one of the most industrious mem bers in the house, both in its general business and the superintend ence and conduct of committees. His resistance to the arbitrary imposition of ship-money (1636) induced many other residents in Buckinghamshire to follow his example. Proceedings were instituted aminst him on the part of the crown. The case was argued in the
Exchequer Chamber (1637) during twelve days before all the twelve judges, who, two excepted, gave a decision in favour of the crown. It is remarkable that there is no appearance of an assessment of ship-money having been made upon the county of Buckingham after Hampden's triaL The judgment however which was then given strengthened the claim which the king had made to the power of taxing in any manner and to any extent, and the fear of oppression began to operate as an inducement to emigration. Many, especially among the Puritans, had already left the kingdom, and more were preparing to do so, when an order from the king, dated April 1638, prohibited all ships from sailing with passengers unless with a special licence. Eight ships were then lying in the Thames for the reception of emigrants; in one of which had engaged their passage across the Atlantic two no less considerable persons, it is said, than Oliver Crom well and his kinsman Hampden : to this ship a licence was refused. (Lord Nugeura Memorials of Hampden,' voL L p. 254.) For an account of Hampden'e conduct generally in the Long Parlia ment we must refer to Lord Nugent'a Memorials of Hampden,' to Clarendon, Whitelock, and the general histories. His resistance to the undue influence of the king so irritated Charles I., that the king accused him, with three other members of the Commons and one of tho Lords, of having traitorously endeavoured to subvert the fundamental laws and government of the kingdom, and even made an attempt in person to seize them in the House. The House pro tected them from seizure, but viulent debates and tumults arose, which were shortly after followed by the civil war. Hampden now raised and commanded a troop, with which he joined the Parliamentary army, acting chiefly in Berkshire and the counties of Oxford, North ampton, Warwick, Middlesex, and Buckingham. Being a member of the Committee of Public Safety, as well as a military leader, he was incessantly and variously occupied in all the affairs of the war. His counsel was for vigorous and resolute measures; he considered that Essex, the parliamentary general, should have acted more on the offensive. In an engagement with Prince Rupert upon Chalgrove Field, June 18, 1643, Hampden placed himself at the head of the attack, but in the first charge received his death-wound. Two cara bine balls struck him in the shoulder, and, breaking the bone, entered his body : be left the field, and obtained surgical aid at Theme, but the wound was incurable, and after six days' severe suffering he expired.
Historians of the most opposite parties unite in unanimous praise of this great man : all bear testimony to his affability iu conversation ; his temper, art, and eloquence in debate ; his penetration in counsel; his industry, vigilance, and enterprise in action, and his courage in war. His last words were a touching and beautiful prayer for the welfare of his country.