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National Museums Scotland Opens Exhibition Devoted to Admiral Lord Cochrane

National Museums Scotland presents an exhibition devoted to Admiral Lord Cochrane, on view 7 October 2011 – 19 February 2012.

Admiral Cochrane, the Real Master and Commander opens on Friday 7 October and tells the amazing story of the real-life figure who inspired famous fictional heroes like C.S. Forester’s Hornblower and Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey, famously played by Russell Crowe in the film Master and Commander.

This new exhibition, showing only at the National Museum of Scotland, draws together a host of objects which have never before been on public display, including medals, trophies and personal mementos along with key documents of the time from the National Records of Scotland and artworks including a portrait of Cochrane by James Ramsay.

From growing up in Fife, to battling Napoleon’s Navy, from scandal and disgrace to becoming a Chilean national hero, the true story of Cochrane’s rise, fall and rise again is as incredible as any of these fictional exploits. Personal objects connect the man with his remarkable story throughout the exhibition, from the pocket watch Cochrane was given by his father when he first went to sea to the ‘Bosun’s Call’ silver whistle he kept as a souvenir from his naval service.

Image: Lord Cochrane by James Ramsay.

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