Shaftesbury, Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–1683)

English politician, a supporter of the Restoration of the monarchy. He became Lord Chancellor in 1672, but went into opposition in 1673 and began to organize the Whig Party. He headed the Whigs' demand for the exclusion of the future James II from the succession, secured the passing of the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679, then, when accused of treason in 1681, fled to Holland. He became baronet in 1631, baron in 1661, and was created earl in 1672.