John Cockburn (Scottish politician)

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John Cockburn (pronounced Co-burn) of Ormiston, East Lothian, (died 12 November 1758) was a Scottish politician, the son of Adam Cockburn of Ormiston, Lord Justice Clerk. He is also known as the father of Scottish husbandry. There is no written history of why the surname is pronounced with a silent "ck", however research suggests that this may be individual preference. No other word in the English language uses ck in a silent context.

Cockburn became a member of the Scottish parliament and took an active interest in accomplishing the union. He was the first representative of East Lothian in the parliament of Great Britain, and continued to hold that seat in all successive parliaments, till 1741 and at one point held the post of Lord of the Admiralty.

This last Cockburn of Ormiston was an enthusiastic entrepreneur and eventually ruined himself. His estates were sold to the Earl of Hopetoun.

John Cockburn of Ormiston died in his son's house in the Navy Office, London, England. He had married Beatrix, daughter of John Carmichael, 1st Earl of Hyndford, by whom he had no issue. His natural son, George Cockburn (d.1770), was a Captain in the Royal Navy, and married Caroline, daughter to George 5th Lord Forrester, with female issue.

• Refer: The House of Cockburn of that Ilk and Cadets Thereof, by Thomas H. Cockburn-Hood (Edinburgh, 1888), page 156.

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