John L. Cochran Papers 1879-1885

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

John L. Cochran Papers, mss 00025, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

John L. Cochran Papers, mss 00025, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The John L. Cochran Papers consist of a report card (1879) from the secondary school Cochran attended before entering the Virginia Military Institute; one letter (September 4, 1880) from VMI Cadet Cochran to his mother; a diary, with sketches (1881), containing short and sporadic entries made while he was a student at the Virginia Military Institute and concerning various aspects of cadet life; and four volumes of class notes (1882-1885) taken while Cochran was a student at Swarthmore College and the University of Virginia, with some examples of poetry and sketches interspersed.

From the private school held as his home, "Folly Farm." Lists marks in various subjects; "highest average in school"

Written from the Virginia Military Institute. "I am very well satisfied....There are a good many rats [first year cadets] here and as you asked me not to I have not been treating them badly."

Includes sporadic and brief entries, dating primarily from early 1881 when he was enrolled at the Virginia Military Institute. Mentions various school events; also includes small pen & ink sketches and doodles.

Dating from Cochran's years at Swarthmore and the University of Virginia. Subjects include philosophy, mineralogy, engineering. Some watercolor sketches and poetry interspersed.

Biographical / historical:

John Lynn Cochran was born at "Folly Farm" in Augusta County, Virginia on November 9, 1863. His parents were James C. Cochran and Elizabeth Brooke. He attended the Virginia Military Institute during the period 1879-1881, and subsequently attended Swarthmore College (Pennsylvania), from which he graduated in 1883. In the fall of 1883 he enrolled at the University of Virginia, where he became ill with typhoid fever. Cochran never regained his health and he died at "Folly Farm" on January 22, 1887.

Physical description:
The collection consists of 7 items.