EDWARD DUTTON COOK (1829-1883), English dramatic critic and author, was born in London on the 30th of January 1829, the son of a solicitor. He was educated at King's College school, London, and, after four years in his father's office, obtained a situation in the London office of a railway company, at first utilizing only his spare time in literary work, but eventually devoting himself entirely to literature. He was dramatic critic of the Pall Mall Gazette from 1867 to 1875, and of the World from 1875 till his death. He also wrote freely on art topics, and was the author of several novels. He died in London on the i ith of September 1883.