William Cockburn

William Cockburn M.D. (1669–1739) was a Scottish physician, known for his dysentery remedy and as Jonathan Swift's doctor.

Life Cockburn proceeded M.A. at the University of Edinburgh. His name occurs in the register of the University of Leyden as a student of medicine on 29 May 1691, and there heard the lectures of Archibald Pitcairne, a continuing influence on his writings. On 2 April 1694 he became a licentiate of the College of Physicians of London, and about the same time was appointed physician to the Blue squadron of the fleet.

Through his connection with the fleet Cockburn was able to introduce his secret remedy for dysentery, which made his fortune. One account given is that in July 1696 he was dining on board one of the ships in the company of Lord Berkeley of Stratton, when it was remarked to him that "there was nothing farther wanting but a better method of curing fluxes". Cockburn replied that he thought he could be of use. A trial was made next day on 70 patients on board , and proved successful. The result was reported to the admiralty board by Sir Clowdisley Shovell, who was directed to purchase a quantity of the electuary for the use of the Mediterranean squadron. Cockburn supplied the fleet with his electuary for 40 years. In 1696 he brought out a small work on the Nature and Cure of Distempers of Seafaring People, with Observations on the Diet of Seamen in H.M.'s Navy, a record of his two years' experience as ship's doctor on the home station.

Family Cockburn was twice married: first, in 1698, to Mary de Baudisson, a widow, who died on 6 July 1728, aged 64; and again on 5 April 1729 to Lady Mary Fielding, eldest daughter of Basil Feilding, 4th Earl of Denbigh, a patient. A contemporary account of the courtship was that he found her in tears at the prospect of having to leave London for financial reasons, and said, "Madam, if fifty thousand pounds and the heart of an old man will console you, they are at your service".