Coke, Thomas William (1754-1842)

English agriculturalist and politician who was renowned for his innovations in both arable farming and animal husbandry. A long-serving member of Parliament for Norfolk (1776-1806 and 1807-32), he introduced new strains of crops and made improvements to the breeding of cattle and sheep on his extensive farms. His innovations included regular manuring of the soil, the cultivation of fodder crops in association with corn, and the drilling of wheat and turnips.

He also developed a flock of Southdown sheep at Holkham, Norfolk, which were superior to the native Norfolks, and encouraged his farm tenants to do likewise. These ideas attracted attention at the annual sheep shearings, an early form of agricultural show, which Coke held on his home farm from 1776. By the end of the century these had become major events, with many visitors coming to see and discuss new stock, crops, and equipment.