Thomas Cochrane Dundonald, earl of, more commonly known as Lord Cochrane, an English admiral, born Dec. 14, 1775, died Oct. 31, 1860. He was the eldest son of Archibald, ninth earl of Dundonald. At the age of 17 he entered the naval service, and during the war with France signalized himself in many actions. Some of his exploits in capturing vessels against great odds are among the most brilliant in the history of the British navy. In 1801 he was made a post captain for the capture of a Spanish frigate of far superior force to his own. In 1809 he successfully led a fleet of fire ships among the French fleet at anchor in the Basque roads. In 1807 he was elected to parliament for Westminster, and soon incurred the animosity of the government by his radical opinions on questions of reform. In February, 1814, a rumor prevailed that Napoleon had abdicated, and Lord Cochrane took advantage of the consequent rise in the funds to sell out. He was charged with originating a false rumor, was convicted of fraud, and sentenced to pay a fine of £1,000, to stand in the pillory, and be imprisoned for a year. The pillory punishment was subsequently remitted. He was at the same time expelled from parliament.

His constituents, believing in his innocence, which has since been fully established, immediately returned him to parliament again, and his fine was paid by public subscription. Finding it impossible to obtain employment at home, he attached himself successively to the Chilian, Brazilian, and Greek navies, in each of which he earned fresh laurels, and he was created marquis of Maranham in Brazil. In 1830, on the accession of William IV. and a whig government, he returned to England, and was reinstated and made rear admiral. In 1851 he became vice admiral of the white, and in 1854 admiral of the United Kingdom. He was a man of considerable scientific attainments, and the author of " Observations on Rural Affairs" (1847), "Notes on the Condition of the British West India Islands" (1851), "Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru, and Brazil" (2 vols., 1859), and "Autobiography of a Seaman" (1860). - The succession to his title gave rise to a famous law case. His eldest son claimed the title, which was disputed by a younger brother, who aspersed the character of their mother.

The case was decided (June 11, 1863) in favor of the eldest son, Thomas Barnes Cochrane (born April 18, 1814), the present earl.