Click for Bookshop  Thomas Cochrane (10th Earl of Dundonald)
1775 - 1860  Thomas Cochrane ©2013 Gazetteer for Scotland
Thomas Cochrane  Naval commander. Born in Annsfield (near
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire), Cochrane was elected as a Member
of Parliament in 1806. He served successfully in the British
Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, gaining a reputation for his
daring. However, his radical attitude, campaign against
corruption in the navy and criticism of his meek and indecisive
commander, led to his dismissal. He was falsely accused of
involvement in a stock market fraud by a disgruntled
establishment.  He proceeded to become Commander-in-Chief of the
Chilean Navy (1819), helped Brazil towards independence (1823)
and led the Greek Navy against Turkey (1827).  He was vindicated
and re-instated as a Rear Admiral in the British Navy on his
return to Britain. Between 1848 and 1851, he served as commander
of the North American and West Indies Station, based in Bermuda.
He was one of Britain's greatest naval her