Robert Cochrane

From Traditional Witchcraft Wiki Project

Name:	Robert Cochrane (Aka Roy Bowers)
Date of Birth:	January 26, 1931
Place of Birth:	Warwickshire, England

Robert Cochrane, real name Roy Bowers (1931-1966) was Magister of the Clan of Tubal-Cain during the 1960's. Cochrane claimed hereditary lineage & knowledge of other existing old craft clans. It has been proposed by some that he picked up some knowledge from his time working with barge-folk. Hutton (1999) rather more plausibly, suggests that Cochrane founded his group using numerous published sources that included Robert Graves and Gerald Gardner. Cochrane died after an overdose, which is presumed by many to have been suicide as a result of personal circumstances (see Gavin Semple's 'A Poisoned Chalice'). Cochrane remains an influential if relatively minor figure in the development of contemporary Witchcraft whose 1960's Tradition has not only out lived him but has spread across the world.

Hutton R. (1999) The man in black. In Hutton R. (1999) The triumph of the moon: a history of modern Pagan Witchcraft. Oxford University Press pp309-318.