A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hook, James

HOOK, James, born at Norwich in 1746, studied music under Garland, organist of the cathedral. When a very young man he came to London and composed some songs which were sung at Richmond and Ranelagh, and which he published as his Op. 1. In 1769 he was engaged at Marylebone Gardens as organist and composer, and continued there until 1773. In 1774 he was engaged at Vauxhall Gardens in the same capacities, and continued there until 1820. He was for long organist of St. John's, Horsleydown. During his engagements at Marylebone and Vauxhall he is said to have composed upwards of 2000 songs, cantatas, catches, etc. He gained prize medals at the Catch Club, in 1772, for his catch, 'One morning Dame Turner,' and in 1780 for 'Come, kiss me, dear Dolly.' In 1776 Hook brought out 'The Ascension,' an oratorio. He composed the music for the following dramatic pieces; 'Dido,' 1771; 'The Divorce,' composed in 1771 for Marylebone, but not produced until 1781 at Drury Lane; 'Trick upon Trick,' 'Il Dilettante' and 'Cupid's Revenge,' 1772; 'Apollo and Daphne,' 1773; 'The Lady of the Manor,' 1778; 'Too civil by half,' 1783; 'The Double Disguise,' 1784; 'The Fair Peruvian,' 1786; 'Jack of Newbury,' 1795; 'Diamond cut Diamond,' 1797; ' Wilmore Castle,' 1800; 'The Soldier's Return,' 1805; 'Tekeli,' and 'Catch him who can,' 1806; 'Music Mad' and 'The Fortress,' 1807; 'The Siege of St. Quintin,' 1808; 'Killing no Murder' and 'Safe and Sound,' 1809. Besides these he composed music for the following, the dates of production of which are uncertain: 'The Wedding,' 'Love and Virtue,' 'The Cryer of Vauxhall,' 'The Pledge,' 'Coralie,' 'Blanche and Edgar,' and 'The Country Wake.' Many of his songs were published in collections, as 'The Feast of Anacreon,' 'Hours of Love,' etc., but the greater number were issued singly. Hook composed several concertos for the organ or harpsichord, and sonatas for the pianoforte, and was author of 'Guida di Musica,' a book of instruction for the pianoforte. Several of his glees, catches and rounds are printed in Warren's Collections. Hook died at Boulogne in 1827. Several members of his family were eminent in literature. His first wife, Miss Madden (died Oct. 19, 1795), was authoress of 'The Double Disguise.' His son, James Hook, D.D., Dean of Worcester (born 1772, died 1828), was author of the words of 'Jack of Newbury,' 'Diamond cut Diamond,' etc. His younger son Theodore Edward (born 1788, died 1841), was the well-known humourist; and his grandson, Walter Farquhar Hook, D.D., Dean of Chichester (born 1798, died 1875), son of James, was the famous divine.

[ W. H. H. ]