Who was appointed Lord Protector of England in the 17th century?

Okay, let's talk about Oliver Cromwell and his role as Lord Protector. In the 17th century, England went through a tumultuous period. King Charles I clashed with Parliament, leading to the English Civil War. Cromwell was a key figure in the Parliamentarian victory, and Charles I was eventually executed in 1649. After the monarchy was abolished, England became a republic, known as the Commonwealth. However, this didn't last. Cromwell, as a powerful military leader, eventually dissolved Parliament and in 1653, he took the title of Lord Protector. This essentially made him the head of state, ruling England, Scotland, and Ireland. So, while King Charles II did eventually become king after the monarchy was restored, and Samuel Pepys and Isaac Newton were prominent figures of the time, it was Oliver Cromwell who held the unique position of Lord Protector during that specific period in the mid-17th century. He ruled until his death in 1658. It's interesting to note that the position of Lord Protector was never intended to be permanent, but Cromwell's strong personality and military power allowed him to maintain control.