Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley Cooper (1621-1683) was the first Earl of Shaftesbury. He was a student of Oxford University, England.Cooper was a member of the commonwealth council of state during the time of Oliver Cromwell.
During the English Civil War he was originally a supporter of the crown but switched sides and joined the parliamentarians in 1644 due to his concerns about James II. He supported the restoration of Charles II. He became Lord Chancellor in 1672 and founded the Whig party in 1673.
In 1681, Shaftesbury was charged with high treason; charges which were later dismissed.