Dates: 7 October 2011 – 19 February 2012
Venue: National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street,
Edinburgh
Admission: FREE
Press View: Thursday 6 October, 11.30am – 1pm
Admiral Cochrane, the Real Master and
Commander opens on Friday 7 October and tells the amazing
story of the real-life figure who inspired famous fictional heroes
like C.S. Forester’s Hornblower and Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey,
famously played by Russell Crowe in the film Master and
Commander.
This new exhibition, showing only at the
National Museum of Scotland, draws together a host of objects which
have never before been on public display, including medals,
trophies and personal mementos along with key documents of the time
from the National Records of Scotland and artworks including a
portrait of Cochrane by James Ramsay.
From growing up in Fife, to battling
Napoleon’s Navy, from scandal and disgrace to becoming a Chilean
national hero, the true story of Cochrane’s rise, fall and rise
again is as incredible as any of these fictional exploits. Personal
objects connect the man with his remarkable story throughout the
exhibition, from the pocket watch Cochrane was given by his father
when he first went to sea to the ‘Bosun’s Call’ silver whistle he
kept as a souvenir from his naval service.
Dr. Stuart Allan, Senior Curator – Military
History at National Museums Scotland said:
“Cochrane’s story is as remarkable as any of the fictional
exploits which he inspired and yet he remains a figure who is not
widely remembered or recognised in Scotland. This exhibition aims
to remedy that by giving people a unique chance to see first hand
artefacts, documents and portraits from Cochrane’s lifetime.”
Admiral Cochrane, the Real Master and
Commander reveals a fiery character with difficulty accepting
authority. It charts his rise from his first major exploit in
capturing the Spanish frigate El Gamo in 1801 to one of his most
notable achievements, the attack on the French fleet in the Basque
Roads in 1809. The exhibition will include the Star of Bath, the
Knighthood awarded to Cochrane for this action as well as graphic
display charting the progress of the battle.
He became an MP after this but then dramatically lost his rank,
seat and peerage after being controversially found guilty of a
Stock Exchange fraud. After his trial, he emigrated with his family
to Chile, where he took command of their navy in the war of
independence with Spain. His successes led to his becoming a
national hero in Chile, where he is remembered to this day. Among
the decorations and gifts on display is a magnificent sea chest
presented by the people of Chile, inscribed ‘Soy de Cochrane’ (I
belong to Cochrane). This chapter of Cochrane’s career also
led to his featuring as a central character in one of Bernard
Cornwell’s Sharpe novels.
Bestselling novelist Bernard Cornwell, author of the Sharpe
novels, said:
“Cochrane was an extraordinary and
exasperating man; a true hero in an age of heroes. His exploits
defy belief so it is wonderful that his amazing story is to be told
at the National Museum of Scotland - an exhibition that deserves to
be a huge success!”
Following his exploits in Chile, Cochrane’s
services were in demand, and he was offered a similar commission
with the Brazilian navy in their war with the Portuguese, which he
accepted in 1822. This was another success, albeit slightly more
short-lived as Cochrane began to quarrel with his superiors over
pay, prizes and strategy. He moved on to Greece where he joined the
campaign for independence from the Ottoman Empire, although here he
struggled to make an impact.
Having returned home in 1827, Cochrane spent
many years campaigning to clear his name of the stockmarket fraud.
With the death of his father in 1831 Cochrane became the 10th Earl
of Dundonald. The new King, William IV ('the sailor king') pardoned
Cochrane, but he was never cleared of his conviction. He became a
Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy, and his uniform and sword from this
period will be on display in the exhibition.
Throughout his career, and later in his life, Cochrane was a
technical pioneer and developed a number of commercial and naval
inventions, including attempts introduce steamships and chemical
weapons to the British armoury. None of these were commercially
successful and he lost much of the money he had made through his
naval successes.
For all Cochrane had a mixed career, and the fictional
characters he inspired are perhaps more widely known than his true
story, there is no question of his impact at the time. He was known
by name to Napoleon, praised in verse by Sir Walter Scott, and Lord
Byron said in 1821 “There is no man I envy so much as Lord
Cochrane.”
Admiral Cochrane, The Real Master and Commander has
been created in partnership with the National Records of Scotland,
who have loaned fascinating documents including Cochrane’s
appointment to the Chilean Navy, his marriage certificate, log
books, charts and plans for some of his proposed inventions.
Dr Tristram Clarke of the National Records of
Scotland, co-curator of the exhibition, said:
“This exhibition is an exciting example of how original
documents can come together with artefacts and artworks to
tell such fascinating stories as that of Admiral
Lord Cochrane. We are delighted to be able to draw
on his own archive to give personal insights
into his extraordinary character and achievements.”
27 September 2011
Further information and images from Bruce
Blacklaw or Susan Gray, Press Office, tel 0131 247 4165 or email
b.blacklaw@nms.ac.uk,
Note to Editors
Please note that National Museums Scotland (no
“of” or “the”) is our corporate name. Our individual museums are
called the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of
Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life, the National Museum of
Costume and the National War Museum.
The exhibition will be supported by a
programme of public events. Further details
can be found here.
For more information or images, please
contact Susan Gray, Hannah Dolby or Bruce Blacklaw, Press Office,
Tel 0131 247 4165 or email b.blacklaw@nms.ac.uk