A Dictionary of the Booksellers and Printers who Were at Work in England, Scotland and Ireland from 1641 to 1667/Crooke (John)
CROOKE (JOHN), bookseller in London, and King's Printer in Dublin, 1638-69, (1) Greyhound in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1638-39; (2) Ship in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1640-66; (3) Duck Lane, 1667-69; (4) Dublin, King's Printing Office, 1660-69. Brother of Andrew Crooke. He was associated with R. Sergier, J. Baker, and G. Bedell, and during this time issued several plays. In July, 1660, he was appointed Printer General in Ireland with a fee of £8 per annum and power to print all books and statutes, and he still retained his London business. Smyth in his Obituary, p. 80, thus records his death: "20th March 16689 Mr. John Crook bookseller in Duck Lane, brother to Andr. Crook, died this morning: buried at Botolphs Aldersgate, Mar, 23." He left no will, administration of his effects being granted to his widow Mary on April 20th. He was succeeded in the office of King's Printer in Ireland by Benj. Tooke, but in a book noted by Mr. E. R. McC. Dix in his Books printed in Dublin, under date 1671, the imprint runs: "Typis Regiis et impensis Mariæ Crooke." He left two sons, John and Andrew, both of whom were afterwards associated with the King's Printing House in Dublin. [Information supplied by Mr. E. R. McC. Dix; W. W. Greg, List of English Plays & Masques, Appendix 1, p. xxxvi.]