A tribute to one of Blackpool’s most famous sons
Born 100 years ago today, Alistair Cooke accomplished many great things in his life and is still very well remembered today.

After beginning his life in Salford, the family moved to Blackpool and Cooke was educated at Blackpool Grammar School where he achieved such high results he was awarded a scholarship to study at Jesus College, Cambridge.

Cooke had always had a keen interest in American culture and history from films he had seen but this interest developed when American troops ventured to the Western Front. He had never heard American voices before and watching the ‘yanks’ on Blackpool beach was a defining moment in his life that would certainly shape his later career.

After many varied careers, one that Cooke seemed to liken to most of all was writing his Letters from America for the BBC, a position he held for a fantastic 58 years, sending out a total of 2,869 letters. He managed to wrap up a mass of American history in these letters including the assassination of John F Kennedy and the 9/11 attacks.

Cooke retired in March 2004 on the advice of his doctors and tragically died that same month, aged 95. Alistair Cooke was a great writer whose work is still held in high regard and will be for years to come.