Andrew Cochrane
Andrew Cochrane of Brighouse | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1693 Ayr, Scotland |
| Died | 1777 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, Politician |
| Years active | 1723–1777 |
| Known for | Being the only person to serve as Lord Provost of Glasgow three times; founding member of Political Economy Club; involvement in Glasgow banking ventures |
Andrew Cochrane of Brighouse (1693–1777) was a prominent Scottish merchant notable for being the sole individual to hold the office of Lord Provost of Glasgow on three separate occasions: 1744/5, 1748/9, and 1760/1. In 1799, the street formerly known as Cotton Street in central Glasgow was renamed Cochrane Street to honor his legacy.
Life
Born in Ayr in 1693 to David Cochrane, he relocated to Glasgow in 1722. The following year, in 1723/4, he joined forces with his brother-in-law John Murdoch (1709–1776) to establish the Virginia trading enterprise Cochrane, Murdoch & Company.
In 1743, Cochrane was instrumental in founding the Political Economy Club, which counted figures such as Adam Smith among its members.
During his term as Lord Provost in 1745, Cochrane managed negotiations concerning a levy that Bonnie Prince Charlie imposed on Glasgow to fund the Jacobite uprising. Although he aimed to reduce the demanded sum from £15,000 to £5,500, the city ultimately paid £14,000 to support the Young Pretender’s forces. As a supporter of the Hanoverian cause, Cochrane later collaborated with his brother-in-law George Murdoch in London to secure compensation amounting to £10,000 for Glasgow in 1749.
By 1750, Cochrane had become an early supporter of the Glasgow Tanwork Company (Bell's Tanyards), an innovative venture that combined tanning operations with banking services and eventually developed into the Ship Bank. In 1761, he was among the founders of the Glasgow Arms Bank, alongside 25 associates, and also took on a partnership role within Bell's Tanyard.
Cochrane passed away in Glasgow in 1777; his memory is honored by a monument located within the nave of Glasgow Cathedral.
Family
He wed Janet Murdoch (1699–1786) in 1723. She was the daughter of former Lord Provost Peter Murdoch of Rosehill and sister to John Murdoch of Rosebank. The couple did not have any children.
Publications
The Cochrane Correspondence, a collection of letters discussing municipal governance and council matters, was published by the Maitland Club.