Roger Gresham Cooke (26 January 1907 – 22 February 1970), usually known as Gresham Cooke, was a British Conservative Party politician. He was the son of Dr Arthur Cooke, F.R.C.S.,^[1] senior surgeon to Addenbrooke's Hospital.^[2] A brother was Nicholas Gresham Cooke, DFC.

Early life

Cooke joined the British Road Federation as secretary in 1935, later becoming Chairman of its Highways Committee.^[3] After the war, in 1946, he was appointed director of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, a representational role which he held during a difficult period for the UK's economy and motor industry until 1955.^[3]

Political career

Cooke was Member of Parliament for Twickenham from 1955 until his death aged 63 in 1970. No by-election was held after his death, as the 1970 general election followed only four months later, in which Toby Jessel was elected as Cooke's successor.

Personal life

Cooke married Rosalie Anne, daughter of J.R.H. Pinckney in 1934.^[4] The couple had four children, Rosalie, Vivien, Hereward and Gerald. Rosalie and Hereward both followed their father's interest in politics. Rosalie was a Conservative councillor who led South Oxford district council for a decade, and Canon Hereward was the Liberal Democrat deputy leader of Norwich City Council between 2002 and 2006.^[5] Rosalie's son is the journalist and environmental activist George Monbiot.

Other activities

A few days before he died Cooke was lobbying for Britain's motor racing achievements to be commemorated through a special issue of postage stamps.^[3]

References

• Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Roger Gresham Cooke