George Rooke ca.1650-1709

Sir George ROOKE ca.1650-1709

Sir George Rooke's bookplate (British Museum Franks *366)

Biographical Note

Born at Canterbury, son of Colonel Sir William Rooke, of St Lawrence House near Canterbury. He entered the Navy in 1672 and was at the Battle of Solebay; he subsequently developed a successful naval career, involved in numerous actions during the 1670s and 80s, and becoming a rear-admiral in 1689, and an admiral in 1693. He led the fleet which captured Gibraltar in 1704. He was MP for Portsmouth 1698-1708, and knighted in 1693.

Characteristic Markings

Rooke used an engraved armorial bookplate dated 1702 (Franks *366). The extent and disposal of his library is not known; his lengthy will has no explicit reference to books.

Sources

• Will of Sir George Rooke, The National Archives PROB 11/506/398.
• Hattendorf, John B. '"Rooke, Sir George (c. 1650–1709), naval officer."' Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.