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Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn (1772–1853)

Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

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Cockburn was one of Nelson's talented frigate captains in the Mediterranean in the 1790s but is best known for his actions during the Anglo-American War of 1812. In 1814 he accompanied the joint naval and military force under Major-General Ross, which after the battle of Bladensburg seized the city of Washington for 24 hours. The public buildings were burnt, including the President's mansion. Its shell had to be painted white on reconstruction to hide the damage and it subsequently became more generally known as the White House. Cockburn provided support and guidance to the army throughout the campaign having become familiar with operations on shore. Ross gave credit to Cockburn for the idea of the attack on Washington although it was part of the strategy of Sir Alexander Cochrane who had become Commander-in-Chief on the North American station early in 1814.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn (1772–1853)

Date

c.1817

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 239 x W 148.5 cm

Accession number

BHC2619

Work type

Painting

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National Maritime Museum

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