Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860), the 10th Earl of Dundonald, rose through the ranks of the British navy to become an admiral. His career was marked by innovative sea victories, political scandal, and bold strategies that were considered radical by some of his peers.

Thomas Cochrane, born on December 14, 1775 in Annsfield, England, was the elder son of Archibald Cochrane, the 9th Earl of Dundonald, and Anne Gilchrist Cochrane. Young Thomas shared his father's intellectual curiosity and eccentricity; although he was destined to follow a different path than his scientist/inventor father. While his father had led the family into financial ruin with unsuccessful scientific experiments, young Thomas was headed for a military career. His father secured a military commission for Cochrane when he was still a child. By the time Cochrane was in his late teens, he had secured commissions in the army as well as the navy. In 1793, he...