Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cooke, John (1666-1710)

1352763Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 12 — Cooke, John (1666-1710)1887Thompson Cooper

COOKE, Sir JOHN (1666–1710), civilian, son of John Cooke of Whitechapel, London, surveyor of the customs, was born on 29 Aug. 1666, was admitted into Merchant Taylors' School in 1673, and was thence elected to St. John's College, Oxford, in 1684 (Wilson, Merchant Taylors' School; Robinson, Register of Merchant Taylors' School, i. 280). While in statu pupillari, being a partisan of William III, he obtained a lieutenant's commission in an infantry regiment, and served in Ireland at the time of the battle of the Boyne. Returning to Oxford he resumed his studies, and graduated B.C.L. in 1691 and D.C.L. in 1694 (Cat. of Oxford Graduates, ed. 1851, p. 147). He was admitted a member of the College of Advocates at Doctors' Commons on 23 Oct. in the last-named year (Coote, English Civilians, p. 105). On 21 May 1701 he received the honour of knighthood (Addit. MS. 32102, f. 110 b). In the following year he was nominated a commissioner to treat of the union between England and Scotland (Thomas, Hist. Notes, ii. 913). Archbishop Tenison, on the death of Dr. George Oxenden in February 1702–3, appointed Cooke dean and official of the court of arches. He was also vicar-general and principal official to the archbishop, and dean and commissary of the peculiars belonging to his grace; and official of the archdeaconry of London. William III appointed him his advocate-general. Cooke's competitor on that occasion was Dr. Thomas Lane, who had been a captain of horse on King James's side at the battle of the Boyne, where he was wounded. His majesty, knowing this, said ‘he chose rather to confer the place upon the man who fought for him, than upon the man who fought against him’ (Annals of Queen Anne, ix. 412). In 1706 Cooke was appointed clerk of the pipe in the exchequer. He died on 31 March 1710, and was buried at St. Mary's, Whitechapel (Present State of Europe, xxi. 119).

He married Mary, only daughter of Matthew Bateman of London (she died on 6 Oct. 1709), and left issue one daughter.

He published ‘A Summary View of the Articles exhibited against the late Bishop of St. David's [Dr. Watson], and of the Proofs made thereon,’ London, 1701, 8vo.

[Authorities quoted above.]

T. C.