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Why did Thomas Carlyle admire Oliver Cromwell?

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Thomas Carlyle admired Oliver Cromwell primarily because he viewed him as the quintessential example of his "hero"—a leader possessing immense strength combined with a conviction of a God-given mission.1

Carlyle’s perspective was shaped by his broader philosophy of history, which emphasized the role of powerful individuals in shaping human events. In his work On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History, he categorized Cromwell as a "hero as king," representing a figure of decisive action and authority.1

Furthermore, Carlyle interpreted Cromwell as a constitutional reformer who successfully dismantled the absolutism of Charles I. By championing Cromwell, Carlyle sought to contrast the "wise and strong rule" of such figures against what he perceived as the "muddled softness and chaos" of 19th-century parliamentary politics. His admiration was solidified in his 1845 publication, Oliver Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches. With Elucidations, which helped shift the historical reputation of Cromwell from that of a "nauseating hypocrite" to a significant, patriotic ruler.21