Edward William Cooke (1811-1880) was born in London. He was a son of George Cooke, the engraver. Cooke was engraving flowers before he was ten years old and later studied architecture. He developed a natural interest in ships, probably enhanced by his association with Clarkson Stanfield for whom he made sketches in 1826 and whom he greatly admired. Cooke published his famous ship etchings in 1829 in a series of 65 brilliant etchings, comprising picturesque but at the same time extremely accurate representations of the principal varieties of Shipping and Craft met with in the British Seas and Rivers, from a Thames Wherry to a first-rate Man-of-war

E. W. Cooke was second to no artist of any period, for faithful and picturesque delineation of Shipping. The most experienced sailor would find it impossible to detect the slightest error in the rigging, or the relative position of lines and sails, while the amateur was only an effect so artistical and picturesque that accuracy would almost seem to be sacrificed to other.

" These illustrative etching are of a very superior character. They are executed in a bold and masterly style, which, coupled with the fidelity of the design, shown uncommon power."—Time.