T. Cooke & Sons, York & London (and later "and Cape Town")
T. Cooke was born in 1807 in Allerthope, Yorkshire. He was born to a poor family and, having first to overcome many difficulties, managed to study mathematics and optics. At the age of 22 he manufactured his first achromatic lens. This success led him to establish a small optics firm in York. His meticulous, high-quality work made him a famous telescope maker. After his death in 1868 the firm was continued by his sons.