1820 - began drawing from nature in the celebrated Hackney nurseries of Conrad Loddiges & Sons. Received artistic training in the printing studios of his father (George Cooke) and uncle (William Bernard Cooke). Marine artist Clarkson Stanfield employed him to make drawings of nautical details. 1829 - published Fifty Plates of Shipping and Craft. 1833 - along with his father, produced Views of the Old and the New London Bridges. 1835 - first exhibited at the Royal Academy and the British Institution. 1837 - toured the Netherlands. 1845 - toured Western italy. 1850 - toured Venice. 1851 - elected ARA. 1853 - toured Sweden and Denmark. 1857 - became a fellow of the Linnean Society. 1861 - toured Spain. 1863 - elected RA and became a fellow of the Royal Society. 1874 - toured Egypt.