Downing, George (c. 1623–1684)

English soldier and politician. He was one of Oliver Cromwell's principal advisers on foreign policy during the Protectorate, and worked for Charles II after the Restoration, arresting various regicides in Europe. He was made a baronet in 1663.

Earlier in his career he was scoutmaster general in Cromwell's Scottish army, and a teller of the Exchequer. As adviser to Cromwell on foreign policy his mission was to try to bring about a union of all the European Protestant powers.