John Lilburne

*Freeborn*
John Lilburne
Freeborn John Lilburne
	John Lilburne, a portrait by the engraver George Glover, 1641
Personal details
Born	1614; Sunderland, County Durham, England
Died	29 August 1657 (aged 42–43); Eltham, England
Resting place	New Churchyard, Moorfields
Political party	Levellers
Other political; affiliations	Parliamentarians
Known for	Putney Debates
Military service
Allegiance	Parliament of England
Branch/service	Eastern Association
Years of service	1642–1645
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Commands	Dragoons
Battles/wars	First English Civil War Battle of Edgehill; Battle of Brentford; Battle of Marston Moor;

John Lilburne (c. 1614 – 29 August 1657), also known as Freeborn John, was an English political Leveller before, during and after the English Civil Wars 1642–1650. He coined the term "freeborn rights", defining them as rights with which every human being is born, as opposed to rights bestowed by government or human law.^[1] In his early life he was a Puritan, though towards the end of his life he became a Quaker. His works have been cited in opinions by the United States Supreme Court.^[2]

^ Gregg 2001, p.63.
^ Gilder, Eric; Hagger, Mervyn. (2008). "The Pedigree of America's Constitution: An Alternative Explanation" (PDF). British and American Studies. Vol. 14. Timișoara: University of the West. pp. 217–26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2010.

[1] Gregg 2001, p.63.

[Black-2] Gilder, Eric; Hagger, Mervyn. (2008). "The Pedigree of America's Constitution: An Alternative Explanation" (PDF). British and American Studies. Vol. 14. Timișoara: University of the West. pp. 217–26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2010.

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