Admiral Thomas Cochrane - The Real Master and Commander

Learn how a historic figure from Scotland inspired some of the best-loved naval heroes in literature and film.

 

You can find out about the remarkable figure of Admiral Thomas Cochrane at an exciting new exhibition showing exclusively at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh from 7 October 2011 - 19 February 2012.

 

The exhibition tells the amazing story of the real life naval captain who inspired famous fictional heroes like C.S. Foster’s Hornblower and Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey, played by Russell Crowe in the film ‘Master and Commander’.

 

The exhibition draws together some fascinating objects which have never been on public display before such as medals, trophies, personal mementos along with key documents of the time from the National Records of Scotland and a portrait of Cochrane by celebrated Scottish portrait artist, James Ramsay.

 

These objects piece together Cochrane’s eventful life through his highs and lows from great achievements to a prison sentence, a pardon and a glorious comeback.

 

This daring naval captain was born into a noble family in Hamilton in South Lanarkshire and spent much of his childhood in Culross in Fife. He served in the Napoleonic wars in the Royal Navy, in which he received numerous promotions, as well as in the Chilean, Brazilian and Greek navies. Don’t miss this chance to find out the full story…