author
John Bickerdyke
1858–1933
Best known as John Bickerdyke, this prolific late-Victorian writer brought fishing, travel, and everyday curiosities to life with practical know-how and an easy, companionable style. His books range from hands-on angling guides to lively works like The Curiosities of Ale & Beer.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Writing under the name John Bickerdyke, Charles Henry Cook was a British author born in 1858 and died in 1933. Surviving bibliographic records identify him as a notably prolific angling writer, especially on coarse fishing and sea fishing, and several major works from the late nineteenth century remain associated with his pen name.
His books show a wide range within that world. The Book of the All-Round Angler and Sea Fishing helped establish his reputation as a practical guide for sportsmen, while Days in Thule with Rod, Gun, and Camera added travel and outdoor observation to the mix. He also wrote beyond angling: The Curiosities of Ale & Beer is an entertaining historical work that has kept his name familiar to readers interested in brewing and social history.
What makes him appealing now is the blend of usefulness and personality in his writing. Even when focused on technique or sport, his books suggest a writer who enjoyed sharing experience, odd facts, and the feel of a place, which gives his work a lively charm for modern readers of classic nonfiction.