Cooke, Benjamin (1734–1793)

English organist and composer. He was a pupil of Johann Pepusch, whom he succeeded in 1752 as conductor to the Academy of Ancient Music. In 1757 he was appointed choirmaster at Westminster Abbey, London, in succession to Bernard Gates (c. 1685–1773). He was awarded doctorates in music from Cambridge University in 1775,and from Oxford in 1782, when he became organist of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.

Works Church music services, anthems (some for special occasions), psalms, chants, and hymns.

Odes ode for Delap's tragedy The Captives, Ode on the Passions (Collins), odes for Christmas Day, on Handel, on Chatterton, and for the King's recovery, ode The Syren's Song to Ulysses.

Other glees, catches, and canons; orchestral concertos; organ pieces; harpsichord lessons.