Thomas Cochrane, Earl of Dundonald (1775–1860)

Patrick O'Brian supposedly based his fictional Capt. Jack Aubrey on the real life adventures of Lord Cochrane. Adventures -- he had a few. Brilliant, but irascible Cochrane could have gone further in his British naval career had he been able to govern his temperament, hold his tongue and stay out of politics. As it was, despite his success, he ended up ruined over a financial scandal and made his way into the service of the Chilean navy in their struggle to gain their independence from Spain show more and on to Brazil in their break from Portugal. Low self-esteem is not something Cochrane ever suffered from. His high self-opinion has led to some inaccuracies and exagerrations, however, the editor puts things ship shape. show less

Admiral Lord Cochrane’s Memoirs of a Fighting Captain, from the Folio Society, collects excerpts from three different sources: Cochrane’s The Autobiography of a Seaman (1859-1860), his Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chile, Peru, and Brazil from Spanish and Portuguese Domination (1859), and his son’s Life of Lord Cochrane (1869). Those interested in naval history or the works of C.S. Forrester and Patrick O’Brian will find this an enjoyable volume, particularly as Cochrane show more inspired both Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey. This Folio Society edition includes an introduction from Brian Vale offering historical context and helping to explain where Cochrane got his facts wrong or omitted certain details. Further, it includes maps from Reginald Piggott for the reader to use to follow the geography of Cochrane’s adventures as well as historical paintings chosen to help illustrate certain parts of the narrative. In this, the book closely resembles the Folio Society’s editions of O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series as well as its recent publication of the Horatio Hornblower novels. Those familiar with O’Brian’s Captain Aubrey will note that he adapted Cochrane’s life nearly beat-for-beat, with the fictional Sophie replacing the real-life Speedy, Aubrey attaining a parliamentary seat much like Cochrane only to find himself in disgrace over the Stock Exchange Fraud of 1814, leaving him seeking new opportunities aiding the independence movement in South America. O’Brian used his distinctive voice to narrate and embellish these events, but Cochrane’s own account is fascinating, if at times deliberately misremembered. A good addition to the book case of any O’Brian enthusiast. show less

A well known tale (to me) told in the first person. Cochrane's faults, frailties and foibles are plain to see - yet the dauntless courage, boundless energy and often disregard of precise orders and higher authority are jaw dropping. His exploits have furnished the basis of numerous fictional accounts, and The Times, reporting on his death in 1860 paid a fitting tribute: "History can produce few examples of such a man or of such achievements. Nothing can exceed the singularity of his show more successes.....he was a man of action who surprised the world by successive strokes of genius or daring....He was the idol of seamen and the wonder of the Royal Navy." show less

"[The English] fought on the waters with the French, with the Spaniards, with the Danes, with the Russians, with the Turks, even with our American kinsmen. Middies grew into post-captains, and admirals into dotards during that prolonged struggle. And what have we in literature to show for it all? Marryat's novels, many of which are founded upon personal experience, Nelson's and Collingwood's letters, Lord Cochrane's biography— that is about all. " --Through the Magic Door, pgs. 203-204