News: Admiral Cochrane, the Real Master and Commander

Thomas, Lord Cochrane, (1775 – 1860) is one of Britain's outstanding naval heroes. A daring officer in the Royal Navy, he went on to become the legendary fleet commander who served the cause of liberation in Chile and Brazil.

Dogged by political controversy, scandal and disgrace, Cochrane was later restored to favour. Having succeeded his father as Earl of Dundonald, he was appointed an admiral in the Royal Navy, and served until his death at the age of 84. Although far less celebrated in Scotland than in South America, Cochrane's spirit lives on in the naval heroes of Frederick Marryat, C S Forrester and Patrick O'Brian, who all took inspiration from his incredible story.

Discover more about Cochrane's extraordinary life and times in the exhibition
'Admiral Cochrane, The Real Master and Commander'.

Fascinating personal documents from family papers in the National Records of Scotland are on show for the first time alongside Cochrane's own mementoes and dramatic paintings of his most famous exploits. The exhibition has been mounted by National Museums Scotland in partnership with NRS.

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
7 October 2011 – 19 February 2012 Admission free.

Detail of an address by the government of Brazil to Lord Cochrane, Marquis of Maranhao and 'Hero of Brazil', 1823 (GD233/19/442).