William Tooke was born at St. Petersburg on 22 November 1777, travelling to England
in 1792 and completing his law studies under William Devon, a solicitor in Gray's
Inn, with whom he established a partnership in 1798. Tooke later formed a partnership
with Charles Parker and then established Tooke, Son, & Hallowes. He was elected a
fellow of the Royal Society on 12 March 1818. He was elected to Parliament on 15 December
1832, representing Truro until 1837, when he lost his seat. Tooke died on 20 September
1863 at 12 Russell Square,
London.