author
John Bickerdyke
1858–1933
Best known by the pen name John Bickerdyke, this lively late-Victorian writer moved easily between fiction, journalism, and practical books on angling. He also wrote the much-loved The Curiosities of Ale and Beer, a work that still appeals to readers interested in old food and drink lore.
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About the author
Writing as John Bickerdyke, Charles Henry Cook was a British author born in 1858 who published fiction as well as nonfiction on angling, sport, and popular subjects. Reliable reference sources identify Bickerdyke as his pseudonym and describe him as a novelist, journalist, and writer on angling and sporting topics.
His books show a wide range of interests. He published the novel With the Best Intentions in the 1880s, and he became especially associated with fishing books such as The Book of the All-Round Angler and Sea Fishing. Readers also remember him for The Curiosities of Ale and Beer, an entertaining historical look at brewing and drinking customs.
Cook died on January 17, 1933. Today, the name John Bickerdyke is most likely to catch the eye of readers who enjoy Victorian nonfiction, outdoor writing, and the odd corners of everyday history.