17th century

As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700 in the Gregorian calendar.

Significant people

• Francis Bacon, English philosopher and politician (1561-1626).
• Sir Thomas Browne, English author, philosopher and scientist (1605-1682).
• Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Spanish Author (1574 - 1616)
• Charles I of England (1600 - 1649).
• Charles II of England (1630 - 1685).
• Queen Christina of Sweden, high profile Catholic convert, matron of arts (1626 - 1689)
• Elder John Crandall, Co-founder of Westerly Village (located near present day Providence, Rhode Island) (bapt.1617 - d.1676), and pioneer of the Seventh-Day Baptist Church.
• Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland (1599 - 1658)
• Richard Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland (1626 - 1712).
• René Descartes, French philosopher and mathematician (1596 - 1650)
• John Donne, English metaphysical poet (1572 - 1631)
• Elizabeth I of England (1533 - 1603).
• Galileo Galilei, Italian natural philosopher (1564 - 1642)
• Thomas Hobbes, English philosopher and mathematician (1588 - 1679)
• Christiaan Huygens, Dutch mathematician, physicist and astronomer (1629 - 1695)
• Gottfried Leibniz, German philosopher and mathematician (1646 - 1716)
• John Locke, English philosopher (1632 - 1704)
• James I of England (1566 - 1625).
• James II of England (1633 - 1701).
• Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (1640 - 1705)
• Louis XIV, King of France, (1638 - 1715)
• Mary II of England (1662 - 1694).
• Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh (d.1671), Irish historian and genealogist.
• John Milton, English author and poet (1608 - 1674)
• Musashi Miyamoto, famous warrior in Japan, author of The Book of Five Rings, a treatise on strategy and martial combat. (1584 - 1645)
• Isaac Newton, English physicist and mathematician (1642 - 1727)
• Blaise Pascal, French theologian, mathematician and physicist (1623 - 1662)
• Samuel Pepys, English civil servant and diarist (1633 - 1703)
• Shivaji Bhosle, Hindu King, 1st Maratha ruler, established Hindavi Swaraj. (1630-1680)
• Henry Purcell, English composer (1659 - 1695)
• Cardinal Richelieu, French Cardinal, Duke, and politician (1585 - 1642)
• Rembrandt van Rijn, Dutch painter (1606 - 1669)
• William Shakespeare, English author and poet (1564 - 1616)
• Baruch Spinoza, Dutch philosopher (1632 - 1677)
• Seathrún Céitinn, Irish historian (ca. 1569 - ca. 1644)
• Jan III Sobieski, King of Poland (1629 - 1696)
• William III of England (1650 - 1702).