Samuel Edward Cook facts for kids

Samuel Edward Cook (born in 1787, died on January 11, 1856) was an English writer. He was also known for his interest in nature and his travels.

Life and Travels

Samuel Edward Cook changed his name to Widdrington in 1840. This was because his mother was connected to the Widdrington family estates. He had served in the Royal Navy, which is the United Kingdom's navy.

After his time in the navy, he lived in Spain for several years. His experiences there led him to write two books. These books were Sketches in Spain (published in 1834) and Spain and the Spaniards (published in 1844). He wrote about what he saw and learned during his travels.

In 1842, Samuel Cook was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a special honor for people who have made important discoveries in science. Later, in 1854, he served as the High Sheriff of Northumberland. This was an important local government role in his home county. He passed away at his home, Newton Hall, Northumberland, in January 1856.

Scientific Discoveries and Legacy

Samuel Cook had a great interest in the natural world, especially trees. An Austrian botanist named Stephan Endlicher honored him by naming a group of African trees `Widdringtonia`. These trees are a type of conifer, which are trees that have cones and needles. Cook was one of the first people to study and write about Spain's conifer forests in a scientific way.

He also made an important discovery about birds. In 1831, he found an Azure-winged Magpie in southern Spain. At that time, this type of bird was only known to live in the Far East. Because of his discovery, this bird is now recognized as a separate species. It is called the Iberian Azure-winged Magpie. Its scientific name, Cyanopica cooki, was given in his honor.