Basil Cochrane - Commissioner of Excise

Basil Cochrane

Born 1701
Died 1788
Alias: 
Commissioner Cochrane
Biography: 

Son of William Cochrane of Ochiltree, and Mary Bruce. Brother of Boswell's maternal grandmother, Euphemia (d. 1721). Longtime army officer. Governor of the Isle of Man (1751-1761). Commissioner of Excise in Scotland (1761), Commissioner of Customs in Scotland (1764).

Life with Boswell: 

Boswell breakfasted with Cochrane, "a man of great common sense and prudence", on October 30, 1762. Cochrane was Boswell's grand-uncle, and the two had a fairly close relationship.

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