William Cockburn
William Cockburn, a wealthy physician of St James Street Westminster, was buried in the middle aisle of the nave of Westminster Abbey, near the entrance to the Choir, on 24th November 1739, aged 70. He has no monument or marker. His first wife, a widow called Mary de Baudisson, was buried on 12th July 1728.
He was born in 1669 and educated in Edinburgh and Leiden. Nothing is known of his parents. In London he had a wealthy patron and published several books on physic. He was a member of the Royal College of Physicians and physician to the Royal Navy's blue squadron. His secret remedy for dysentry made his fortune. In 1729 he married secondly Lady Mary Fielding, daughter of the Earl of Denbigh. The story goes that on a visit to Lady Mary he found her weeping saying she could no longer afford to live in the town and would have to go into the country away from her friends. He said he hoped he was one of her friends, and she agreed, and he said "if an old man and £50,000 can be acceptable to you, you may put off your journey...". After ten days they were married. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and was physician to Greenwich Hospital. His will was proved by James Cockburn, secretary to the Duke of Argyll and he mentioned his cousin Helen Cockburn, Lady Allenbank, and also a John Cockburn of Ormiston and the widow of the late Captain John Cockburn of the Royal Navy. His estate was bequeated to Alexander Cockburn but no relationship is given.
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