William Bernard Cooke

William Bernard Cooke (usually referred to as W B Cooke) was born in England in 1778 and was a successful artist, engraver and publisher. Of the Cooke family, his nephew E W (Edward William) Cooke is the most famous.

W B Cooke was at the forefront of landscape engraving and was apprenticed to engraver and publisher William Angus, where he learnt his trade. Cooke's gallery and print shop at 9 Soho Square (1810 - 1830) was successful with most of the important artists of the time exhibiting there.

Cooke published many series including 'The Thames', 'Views on the Thames' and most famously 'Picturesque Views on the Southern Coast of England' with the majority of works by J M W Turner.

Cooke married twice - 1804 and 1822 - but had no children. He died in 1855.