Noel Rooke (b. 1881 - d. 1953) was a wood-engraver and artist.
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Rooke was born in Acton, in London, where he would remain all of his life. His father was Thomas Matthews Rooke, for many years Edward Burne-Jones' studio assistant, and an accomplished artist in his own right; his mother Leonora Rooke (née Jones), who had been governess to Burne-Jones daughter, Margaret. Rooke studied in France at the Lycee de Chartres and then at the Godolphin School in Hammersmith, London. He completed his further education at the Slade School of Fine Art and the Central School of Arts and Crafts. His notable teachers were W.R. Lethaby and Edward Johnston.[1]
On 31 December 1932, Rooke married one of his pupils, Celia Mary Twistleton-Wykeham-Fiennes. He died at West London Hospital on 5 October 1953.[2]
In 1904, Rooke developed a method whereby wood-engravings for book illustration could be printed directly from the block. Around this time, he also inspired Eric Gill to start engraving. Together they did many engravings for book illustration, helping to revive the practice.[3] In 1914 Rooke began to teach his own method of engraving at Central School, where he had been working since 1905.[4] In the same year, he was appointed head of book production at the school. He was to stay in this role for thirty years. Amongst his students were Robert Gibbings, Mary Skempton[5] and Clare Leighton.[6][7]
In 1920 Rooke helped to found the Society of Wood Engravers and in the same year he became an associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers.[2]
Rooke completed illustrations for the following books:[2]