James Seton Cockburn is an author about whom little public information is available; the only work of his held in the collection is Canada for Gentlemen. Judging from the title, the book concerns Canada and appears to address British gentlemen who were newly arrived, or preparing to settle and seek opportunities there. Since his dates of birth and death, nationality and common classification are not recorded, it is difficult to reconstruct his personal history or the full range of his writing. On the evidence available, Cockburn's work tends toward practical introduction and guidance, in the tone common to nineteenth-century British guides for emigrants and travellers, and focuses on providing knowledge of local society, daily life and opportunities. Such works are of some value for understanding how Britons of the time perceived Canada and the fashion for emigration, though the author's own life and influence await further documentation.
