A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Cockburn, Catharine
COCKBURN, CATHARINE,
The daughter of Captain David Trotter, a Scotch gentleman in the navy, was born in 1679. She gave early proofs of a poetic imagination by the production of three tragedies and a comedy, which were all acted; the first of them in her seventeenth year. She had also a turn for philosophy; and she engaged in controversy, defending Mr. Locke's opinions against Dr. Burnett, of the Charter-House, and Dr. Holdsworth. She was induced to turn Roman Catholic when very young, but renounced that faith in her riper years.
In 1708, she married Mr. Cockburn, the son of an eminent Scotch divine, and was precluded for twenty years from pursuing her studies, by the cares of a family, which she nevertheless resumed with ardour. Mrs. Cockburn died in 1749; her works are collected in two octavo volumes.
She wrote, among her plays, "Agnes de Castro;" "The Fatal Friendship;" "Love at a Loss, or Most Votes carry it;" and "The Unhappy Penitent." She also wrote several poems and controversial essays.
That she was scrupulous never to neglect any womanly duty, gives added importance to her example of improvement. Her familiar letters show this happy talent of biding her time.