10th Earl of Dundonald

Thomas Cochrane was born on December 14, 1775 in Annsfield, Scotland. He was the eldest son of Archibald and Anna Gilchrist Cochrane, and had three brothers: Archibald, Basil and William. Thomas received little to no formal schooling, which taught him to be self-reliant and practical. Thomas shared his eccentricity and intellectual curiosity with his father, a scientist and inventor. In November of 1784, Anna Cochrane passed away. Soon after, Thomas was sent to Mr. Chauvet’s military academy in Kensington