Although born in Ayrshire in 1775, Cochrane spent his childhood and formative years at Culross. His life formed the basis for the fictional naval hero, Horation Hornblower. He gained distinction against the French, being dubbed "le loup de mer" (The Sea Wolf), by Napolean. In 1818 he sailed to South America as Naval Commander-in-Chief of theChilean Navy, then engaged in throwing off Spanish Colonial rule. Map location.
