Edmund R. Cocke was born in 1841 and later became involved in Virginia state politics, being nominated for Governor and Lieutenant Governor by the Populist Party. He experienced significant personal losses, including the death of his wife and newborn child in 1898 and the destruction of his childhood home in 1900. Cocke transitioned from a landholder to a practitioner of alchemy during the early 1900s, dedicating years to the unsuccessful pursuit of creating gold. He was vocal in his opposition to prohibition, expressing his stance in 1919.

Edmund R. Cocke's political identity is marked by an idiosyncratic blend of traditional values and unconventional pursuits, such as his lifelong engagement with alchemy. His opposition to prohibition reveals a distinct libertarian streak, challenging the temperance movement's moralistic underpinnings. Cocke's personal tragedies and the destruction of his home seem to have influenced a deeply localized, almost nostalgic approach to policy, emphasizing regional customs over national trends. His stances often reveal a tension between progressive ideals and a staunch defense of old Virginian mores.