Sir George Cockburn was born in 1772 and went to sea at the age of 14. He rose rapidly in the Royal Navy, perhaps because his father was a baronet, but most certainly because he was a brave and resourceful officer. He saw much action during the Napoleonic Wars and successfully commanded a succession of |sloops, frigates and ships of the line. By 1812, he was a rear admiral in charge of the squadron of the Royal Navy in Spanish waters, but in that year he was ordered to America.

Cockburn played a major role in the War of 1812. He cruised relentlessly up and down the Chesapeake Bay in 1813 and 1814, seizing American shipping, disrupting commerce, and raiding the ports. The most important of these actions was the capture and burning of Washington on August 24, 1814.

Recalled to Europe in 1815, Cockburn was given the job of conveying Napoleon to Saint Helena, where he remained for some months as governor of the island and the Emperor's jailor.

In later life, Cockburn was Commander-in-Chief on the North American station, and eventually Admiral of the Fleet. He was also elected several times to Parliament as a Tory, and served as First Naval Lord. He died in 1853, leaving a daughter.