The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane, commonly called Lord Cochrane, the Hon. Andrew Cochrane Jo.

A whisper of false news, a fortune made in an afternoon, and a naval hero's reputation on trial: this record preserves one of the great financial scandals of its age.

What it's about

The book sets out the trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane, commonly called Lord Cochrane, and their co-defendants, arising from the Great Stock Exchange Fraud of 1814. The accused were charged with conspiring to spread false reports in order to move the price of government funds for profit. The volume presents the proceedings, the evidence, and the testimony, following how the alleged scheme was carried out and how it was brought before the court.

Themes

Rumour, money, and reputation collide throughout, as does the question of guilt and injustice that clung to the celebrated Cochrane long afterward. The case raises enduring issues of market manipulation, the power of information, and how the law confronts fraud dressed as ordinary news.

Why it still matters

The affair is a landmark in the history of financial crime and market regulation, and Cochrane's contested conviction remains a subject of debate. As a primary record, the trial offers a detailed look at early nineteenth-century finance, law, and scandal, and at a controversy that shadowed a famous life.

Who it's for

For readers interested in legal and financial history, the life of Lord Cochrane, and famous trials. A primary-source account rewarding to those who enjoy following a case through its own evidence.