One eminent Victorian for whom a biographical study is long overdue is the marine painter Edward William Cooke, R.A., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.G.S. (1811-1880), who, as the letters after his name will indicate, had interests far beyond the coastal views and inshore shipping of Europe which were his main subjects on canvas. He emerges as a gardener and garden designer on a grand scale, a student of geology, a plantsman, botanical illustrator, humorist, antiquarian and collector.

Although several exhibitions have been held covering aspects of Cooke's work, John Munday's long awaited study gathers together a more representative collection of paintings and drawings and explores the many-sided character of this fascinating man. His diary, and other documents now made available by his family, enable us to see what he was about almost every day of a working life spanning half a century, and provide a remarkable insight into the life and work of this extraordinary Victorian.

Today Cooke's work is widely admired, especially by those with nautical interests such as sailing and fishing boats. Over 500 plates (175 in full colour) illustrate his work from highly finished paintings to the delightful hasty sketches, many of which are valuable records of nautical history.