Nathan Elams Cockrell (September 27, 1833 – June 3, 1859) was a founder of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Nathan Elams Cockrell was born on September 27, 1833 in Livingston, Alabama. His father was Dempsey Cockrell and his mother, Millicent Carpenter. His maternal uncle, Captain Nathan Mullin Carpenter, was the owner of the Everhope Plantation in Eutaw, Alabama.
He attended the University of Alabama, where he was a founding member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He graduated in 1856.
Cockrell managed his father's plantation. Later, he became the editor of the Livingston Messenger newspaper.
Cockrell died on June 3, 1859.