Cochrane, Sir Cecil Algernon

Sir Cecil Algernon Cochrane, the son of civil engineer William Cochrane, was educated at Sherborne School and Christ Church, Oxford, graduating with a Master’s degree in 1894. He was elected Liberal Member of Parliament for South Shields in 1916, before resigning in 1918. Cochrane lived at the Oakfield House, Gosforth. Cochrane was a leading member of the North East business elite, serving as Chairman of the Newbiggin Colliery Co. and Director of many other companies, including Consett Iron and the Blackwell and Nunnery collieries.

Cochrane is well known for his donations to Armstrong College, the precursor to Newcastle University and then a constituent college of Durham University, where he served as Chairman of the Council. He donated monies to build the Students’ Union in 1925, a gift which was given anonymously at the time. It is now a grade II listed building. He also donated Cochrane Park, Heaton, which is Newcastle University’s principal competitive venue for football, rugby and cricket.

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