William Bourke Cockran
Encyclopedia
William Bourke Cockran commonly known as Bourke Cockran, was a United States Representative from New York
and a noted political orator.
. He studied law, was admitted to the bar
in 1876 and commenced practice in Mount Vernon, New York
; two years later he moved to New York City
and continued the practice of law.
, was a frequent candidate for the U.S. House, and won several times, serving a number of unconnected terms. Between terms, he concentrated on his New York law practice. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
s in 1884, 1892, 1904, and 1920, and at the 1920 convention delivered the nominating speech for Al Smith
. Cockran was a member of the commission to revise the judiciary article of the New York Constitution in 1890.
Cockran publicly broke with his party in 1896, because of his opposition to the Free Silver
platform of Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan
. Cockran campaigned instead for Republican presidential candidate William McKinley
, and this was considered a major factor in McKinley's victory. In 1900, Cockran returned to the Democratic Party, supporting Bryan's second presidential campaign and running again for Congress. Though Bryan lost to McKinley again, Cockran won.
He served his final years, 1921–1923, as a congressman, dying in Washington, D.C.
, on March 1, 1923. He is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery
, Hawthorne, New York
.
In 1895, Cockran, a friend of Britain's Churchill family and reputed one-time lover of Jennie Churchill, introduced her 20-year-old son, Winston Churchill
, to American high society during Churchill's first trip to New York. Years later, as British prime minister, Churchill credited Cockran as his first political mentor and the chief role model for his own success as an orator.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and a noted political orator.
Biography
Born in County Sligo, Ireland, he was educated in France and in his native country, and emigrated to the United States when seventeen years of age. He was a teacher in a private academy and principal of a public school in Westchester County, New YorkWestchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
. He studied law, was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1876 and commenced practice in Mount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It lies on the border of the New York City borough of The Bronx.-Overview:...
; two years later he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and continued the practice of law.
Political career
Beginning in 1886, Cockran, a DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, was a frequent candidate for the U.S. House, and won several times, serving a number of unconnected terms. Between terms, he concentrated on his New York law practice. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
s in 1884, 1892, 1904, and 1920, and at the 1920 convention delivered the nominating speech for Al Smith
Al Smith
Alfred Emanuel Smith. , known in private and public life as Al Smith, was an American statesman who was elected the 42nd Governor of New York three times, and was the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate in 1928...
. Cockran was a member of the commission to revise the judiciary article of the New York Constitution in 1890.
Cockran publicly broke with his party in 1896, because of his opposition to the Free Silver
Free Silver
Free Silver was an important United States political policy issue in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Its advocates were in favor of an inflationary monetary policy using the "free coinage of silver" as opposed to the less inflationary Gold Standard; its supporters were called...
platform of Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States...
. Cockran campaigned instead for Republican presidential candidate William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
, and this was considered a major factor in McKinley's victory. In 1900, Cockran returned to the Democratic Party, supporting Bryan's second presidential campaign and running again for Congress. Though Bryan lost to McKinley again, Cockran won.
He served his final years, 1921–1923, as a congressman, dying in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, on March 1, 1923. He is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
The Gate of Heaven Cemetery, approximately 25 miles north of New York City, was established in 1917 at 10 West Stevens Ave. in Hawthorne, Westchester County, New York, United States, as a Roman Catholic burial site...
, Hawthorne, New York
Hawthorne, New York
Hawthorne is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place located in the town of Mount Pleasant in Westchester County, New York. The population was 4,586 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.
In 1895, Cockran, a friend of Britain's Churchill family and reputed one-time lover of Jennie Churchill, introduced her 20-year-old son, Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, to American high society during Churchill's first trip to New York. Years later, as British prime minister, Churchill credited Cockran as his first political mentor and the chief role model for his own success as an orator.