The outstanding British marine artist of his time, Edward Cooke came from a family of engravers that included his father George COOKE and uncle William Bernard COOKE. In 1835 he began to exhibit oils at the Royal Academy, and his paintings remained a feature of its Exhibitions for 45 years.

Cooke was particularly attracted by the Isle of Wight, and on his formative visit in 1835 made a thorough study of its fishing boats and lobster pots.  Above all, he delighted in the beaches strewn with rocks of various kinds, fishing tackle, breakwaters and small timber-propped jetties. Tovey mentions his sketching of storage bunkers on the beaches in October of 1848.  Though little is known at present about his visit(s) to Cornwall, his works include a number of local subjects. A sale of his works was held at Christie's in 1861, and his studio sale was in May 1880.