John Cochran (military physician)
Encyclopedia
John Cochran was the 4th Surgeon General
of the Continental Army
during the American Revolution
.
, the son of Irish immigrants. He served as physician under Lieutenant-Colonel John Bradstreet
during his march on Fort Frontenac
in 1758. He was one of the founders of New Jersey Medical Society and served as its president in 1769.
On 10 April 1777, Cochran was made Physician & Surgeon General of the Middle Department of the Medical Department of the Continental Army. Subsequently, he became Physician and Surgeon General of the Continental Army and Director General of the Hospitals of the United States (January 17, 1781 to 1783). Because of the infighting and other troubles of his three predecessors as Surgeon General, he is considered by some military medical historians as the "best of the Revolutionary period chief physicians".
He was married to Gertrude Schuyler, sister of Gen. Philip Schuyler
. Cochran's descendants added a final e to the family name. His grandson was General John Cochrane.
The John Cochran Veterans Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo is named in his behalf.
Surgeons General of the United States Army
The Surgeon General of the United States Army is the senior-most officer of the U.S. Army Medical Department . By policy, the Surgeon General serves as Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command as well as head of the AMEDD...
of the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
Biography
Cochran was born in Sadsbury, PennsylvaniaSadsbury Township, Pennsylvania
Sadsbury Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Sadsbury Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania*Sadsbury Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania*Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania...
, the son of Irish immigrants. He served as physician under Lieutenant-Colonel John Bradstreet
John Bradstreet
Major General John Bradstreet was a British Army officer during the French and Indian War, King George's War, and Pontiac's Rebellion...
during his march on Fort Frontenac
Fort Frontenac
Fort Frontenac was a French trading post and military fort built in 1673 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It was positioned at the mouth of the Cataraqui River where the St. Lawrence River leaves Lake Ontario , in a location traditionally known as Cataraqui...
in 1758. He was one of the founders of New Jersey Medical Society and served as its president in 1769.
On 10 April 1777, Cochran was made Physician & Surgeon General of the Middle Department of the Medical Department of the Continental Army. Subsequently, he became Physician and Surgeon General of the Continental Army and Director General of the Hospitals of the United States (January 17, 1781 to 1783). Because of the infighting and other troubles of his three predecessors as Surgeon General, he is considered by some military medical historians as the "best of the Revolutionary period chief physicians".
He was married to Gertrude Schuyler, sister of Gen. Philip Schuyler
Philip Schuyler
Philip John Schuyler was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler.-Early life:...
. Cochran's descendants added a final e to the family name. His grandson was General John Cochrane.
The John Cochran Veterans Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo is named in his behalf.