A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cooke, Robert

COOKE, Robert, son of Dr. Benjamin Cooke, succeeded his father, on his death in 1793, as organist of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. On the death of Dr. Arnold, in 1802, he was appointed organist and master of the choristers of Westminster Abbey. In 1814 he unfortunately became deranged, and in a paroxysm of his disorder drowned himself in the Thames. Robert Cooke composed an Evening Service in C and an anthem, 'An Ode to Friendship,' and several songs and glees. Three of the latter obtained prizes at the Catch Club. A collection of eight of his glees was published by the author in 1805. [App. p.597 adds "dates of birth and death, 1768 and Aug. 13, 1814."]

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