Born June 6, 1806 in Beaufort, South Carolina, Richard Colcock graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1826. He resigned from the army in 1836 and was appointed civil engineer for the North Carolina Railroad. Major Colcock also studied law and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar.
From 1844-1852, Major Colcock held the position of Superintendent of The Citadel. He died in 1856 and is buried in Charleston.
