Harrison, Thomas (1606–1660)

English Civil War soldier, politician, and Puritan. In 1642 he enlisted in the Earl of Essex's bodyguard, and was a major at the battle of Marston Moor. He entered the New Model Army with Fleetwood, and was present at the battles of Naseby and Langport and at the captures of Winchester and Basing. He signed Charles I's death-warrant. From 1650–51 he held chief command in England during Cromwell's absence, and after the battle of Worcester in 1651 was charged with the pursuit of the fleeing Royalists. He assisted in expelling the Rump Parliament in 1653, and was a leading member of the Barebones Parliament in the same year.

Harrison was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, England. He was one of the prominent Fifth Monarchy Men of the period. He was deprived of his commission in 1653, and was imprisonment for his ideals (1655–56 and 1658–59). At the Restoration he was executed as a regicide.