Alexander Cochrane

Admiral of the White Sir Alexander Forrester Inglis Cochrane GCB RN (April 23, 1758 – January 26, 1832) was a senior Royal Navy commander during the Napoleonic Wars.

Early life

He was a son of the Scottish peer Thomas Cochrane, the eighth Earl of Dundonald, and an uncle of Admiral Thomas Cochrane, the 10th earl.

Military career

Much of his career was spent with British naval forces in North America, where he saw service in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. As the commander of the Leeward Islands station he was knighted in 1806 (into the Order of the Bath, 29 March) for his services in West Indian operations against the French and Spanish at San Domingo on 6 February in which his hat was blown off his head by a cannon ball. Other rewards included thanks from both Houses of Parliament, freedom of the city of London, and a sword valued at 100 guineas. In 1807 he sailed in HMS Belleisle (74 guns) in the Expedition against Danish Islands, and in 1809 commanded naval forces in the Conquest of Martinique. [p.102, Anderson]

During the War of 1812, Sir Alexander, then a vice admiral, served as Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station. During the Battle of Baltimore, he was responsible for the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, the event which gave rise to Francis Scott Key's poem which became "The Star-Spangled Banner". He also led the British force that was defeated at the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

Later life

Cochrane was promoted to full admiral in 1819. From 1821 to 1824, he was commander-in-chief of the entire British fleet. He died in Paris on January 26, 1832.

A brother Charles {killed at Battle of Yorktown} was married to Catherine, the daughter of Major John Pitcairn

Citations and notes

References

* Anderson, William, "The Scottish Nation: Or The Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours, and Biographical History of the People of Scotland", Fullarton, 1862

See also

Cochrane

External links

* [http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/cochrane_alexander.htm Significant Scots: Sir Alexander Cochrane] - Biography from ElectricScotland.com