Cook, THOMAS

Cook, THOMAS, railway excursion and tourist pioneer, was born at Melbourne, Derbyshire, November 22, 1808. His educational advantages were few, and his early days were spent in gardening pursuits, and then in wood-turning and cabinet work. In his twentieth year he became a village missionary, and whilst thus occupied his sympathies were actively enlisted in the cause of temperance and free trade. But from 1841 his time and toil were engaged chiefly in the initiation and promotion of railway excursions. His first trip was from Leicester to Loughborough in 1841, his aim being the furtherance of the temperance cause. The Midland Railway was for some years the centre of his operations, and the town of Leicester his home. In spite of the great difficulties that had to be encountered, the business grew until not only in Great Britain, but throughout the world, agencies have been established, and the tourist tickets of Thomas Cook & Son are found everywhere. The firm greatly assisted the English government during the Soudan troubles, and on behalf of the Indian government they convey the Mohammedan pilgrims from India to Mecca. The founder died 18th July 1892. See Fraser Rae, The Business of Travel (1891).