William Draper

Who is William Draper?

William Draper was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1653. He was an active supporter of Parliament during the Commonwealth,

Draper was probably the son of Robert Draper. He matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford on 20 May 1636, aged 16. He was a commissioner for sequestration for Oxfordshire in March 1649 when he wrote to the Council of State concerning the "delinquents" at Oxford, and the Council replied on 29 March, " Thanks for your letter manifesting care to preserve the peace of the Commonwealth". In December 1649 there is a reference to a conspiracy against him. He was appointed by the Council to be Captain of the Horse Militia in Oxfordshire on 2 April 1650, and was Governor of Oxford from 9 May 1651. He was made Captain of the Horse Volunteers of Oxford City and University on 16 August 1651. On 17 September the Council appointed him to guard of Wallingford Castle and instructed him to march there "and remain there until you receive further order."

In 1653, Draper was nominated Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire in the Barebones Parliament.