Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cooke, Robert (1820?-1882)
COOKE, ROBERT (1820?–1882), catholic divine, was born at Waterford about 1820, and for some time studied medicine, but subsequently, during a visit to France, joined the congregation of Oblates of Mary Immaculate. After his ordination he was stationed at Grace Dieu, Leicestershire. Thence he was sent in 1847 to Everingham Park, Yorkshire, and while there he established missions at Howden and Pocklington. In 1851 he removed to Leeds. He established houses of his order at Inchicore in Ireland, and at Kilburn, London. His last missionary labour was in the east end of London, where he founded the church of the English Martyrs, Tower Hill. He died on 18 June 1882.
His principal works are: 1. ‘Catholic Memories of the Tower of London,’ Lond. 1875, 8vo, which has been translated into French. 2. ‘Sketches of the Life of Mgr. de Mazenod, bishop of Marseilles, and Founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and of the Missionary Labours of the French Oblates of Mary Immaculate,’ 2 vols. Lond. 1879–82, 8vo.
[Tablet, 24 June 1882; Cat. of Printed Books in Brit. Mus.; Gillow's Bibl. Dict. i. 557; Athenæum, 1879, i. 697.]