William B. Cochran, Jr. papers

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:

Manuscript Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

William B. Cochran, Jr. papers, 1888-1931. MS 0512. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
1 boxes 1 letter sized manuscript box, plus ovesized items
Creator:
Cochran, William B., Jr. (William Burr), 1868-1931
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

William B. Cochran, Jr. papers, 1888-1931. MS 0512. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of the personal papers of Brigadier General William Burr Cochran, VMI Class of 1888, including:

  • Correspondence
  • Photographs
  • An unpublished biographical essay titled "Reminiscences of Camp Life During the World War"
  • Other items, such as instructions for "final German Figures," a formal VMI dance

Biographical / historical:

William Burr Cochran was born on July 9, 1868 in Middleburg, Virginia to John Henry Cochran and Charlotte Carr. He graduated from VMI in 1888, enlisted in the United States Army in 1892, and subsequently received a commission. Cochran served in the Spanish American War. During World War I he remained stateside to train troops. He retired in 1922 and was appointed Brigadier General (retired list) effective June 21, 1930.

Cochran married Mathilde "Tillie" Kessler of Helena, Montana in 1904 and the couple had three children.

Cochran died in an automobile accident near Salisbury, Maryland on July 2, 1931. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks and oversized case 2