Music Encyclopedia:
Thomas Simpson Cooke
(b Dublin, 1782; d London, 26 Feb 1848). Irish singer, instrumentalist and composer. He first appeared in London at the English Opera House in 1813 and by 1815 was at Drury Lane, where he was a principal tenor for nearly 20 years and wrote music for over 50 productions (including an Oberon in opposition to Weber's of 1826). He was musical manager of Vauxhall Gardens, a Philharmonic Society member, a versatile instrumentalist (playing nine instruments in one concert) and a renowned singing teacher. His son Henry (Grattan) Cooke (1809-89) was a well-known oboist.
