About John Ratcliffe
Lived 1582 – 1627 (aged 45). John Ratcliffe was an English soldier and politician.
Sir John Ratcliffe or Radcliffe (22 February 1582 – 5 November 1627)) was an English soldier and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1614 and 1626. He was killed in action in France during the Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
Ratcliffe was the third son of John Ratcliffe of Ordsall, Lancashire who was an MP. In 1599, he was heir to his elder brother Alexander who died in action in Ireland, where John, aged sixteen, was also serving, and where another older brother had already been murdered, He was knighted 24 September 1599 on the sands by Sir Robert Gardiner's house in Dublin. He was admitted at Gray's Inn on 18 March 1606.
Ratcliffe resumed military service within the English army, being a captain of horse by 1624, and a lieutenant-colonel in 1625.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in John Ratcliffe's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Ratcliffe's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Ratcliffe?
English politician and soldier
When was John Ratcliffe born?
John Ratcliffe was born on 22 February 1582.
When did John Ratcliffe die?
John Ratcliffe died on 5 November 1627.
What was John Ratcliffe's occupation?
John Ratcliffe was a soldier and politician.
What nationality was John Ratcliffe?
John Ratcliffe was English.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Ratcliffe (soldier)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Ratcliffe. https://biography.guide/john-ratcliffe-soldier/
MLA: "John Ratcliffe." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-ratcliffe-soldier/.
Chicago: "John Ratcliffe." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-ratcliffe-soldier/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:18 UTC