Vere Essex Cromwell, 4th Earl of Ardglass

Vere Essex Cromwell, 4th Earl of Ardglass PC (I), (2 October 1625 – 26 November 1687) was an English nobleman, son of Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Ardglass and Elizabeth Meverell. He was the last direct male descendant of Henry VIII's chief minister, and key architect of the English reformation, Thomas Cromwell.

Life Vere Essex Cromwell was born at Throwleigh, Staffordshire and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He succeeded his nephew Thomas Cromwell as Earl of Ardglass and Viscount Lecale in the Peerage of Ireland in 1682, as well as Baron Cromwell in the Peerage of England. He died 26 November 1687 at his home in Booncastle, County Down and was buried 29 November at Downpatrick Abbey, County Down. On his death without male issue, all of his titles became extinct.

Marriage and issue In 1672 he married Catherine Hamilton, widow of Richard Price, of Greencastle, Kilkeel, County Down. She was the daughter of James Hamilton, of Newcastle Kilcoo, County Down and Margaret Kynaston, of Saul, County Down. By her, he had an only daughter: