Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald

Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (14 December 1775 – 31 October 1860), styled Lord Cochrane between 1778 and 1831, was a politician and naval adventurer. He was one of the most daring and successful captains of the Napoleonic Wars, leading the French to nickname him "le loup des mers" ("the sea wolf"). His life and exploits served as inspiration for the naval fiction of 20th century novelists C. S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian.

Political career

Cochrane pursued a very active political career, serving as Member of Parliament for Honiton from 1806 to 1807 and for Westminster from 1807 to 1815, and campaigning for parliamentary reform in Britain, being allied with such Radicals as William Cobbett and Henry Hunt. His outspoken criticism of the conduct of the war and the corruption in the Navy made him powerful enemies in the government, and his criticism of Admiral Gambier's conduct in the Basque Roads operation (so severe as to require a court-martial of Gambier) made him enemies in the Admiralty.

Related Topics:
Political - Member of Parliament - 1806 - 1807 - Westminster - 1815 - Britain - Radicals - William Cobbett - Henry Hunt - Admiral Gambier's - Basque Roads operation - Admiralty

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Perhaps as a consequence, Cochrane was tried and convicted as a conspirator in a London Stock Exchange fraud in 1814 although he was almost certainly innocent. He was sentenced to the pillory (a more severe form of the stocks) and a year's imprisonment. He was also expelled from Parliament and the Navy. As an additional humiliation he was stripped of his knighthood and a Degradation Ceremony performed. He was, however, immediately re-elected for Westminster. There was considerable public anger at his trial and sentence, especially the degrading pillory. The administration backed down: the Foreign Secretary, Lord Castlereagh, announced that Cochrane and others had received a Royal Pardon. The sentence of pillorying has not been used in Britain since.

Related Topics:
London Stock Exchange - 1814 - Pillory - Stocks - Degradation Ceremony - Lord Castlereagh - Royal Pardon

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