an English antiquary. Brooke was born in Liverpool in 1791. His father, also named Richard, was a Cheshire man, who settled in Liverpool early in life, and died there on 15 June 1852, at the age of 91. Brooke practised as a solicitor in Liverpool. Brooke devoted his leisure time to investigations into the history and antiquities of his county, and into certain branches of natural history. He began this pursuit at a comparatively early age, during visits to his brother, Peter, who resided near Stoke Field. He particularly focused on exploring fields of battle in England, especially those which were the scenes of conflict between the rival houses of York and Lancaster. Brooke's primary research goal was to compare the statements of the historians with such relics as had survived and with the traditions of the neighbourhoods where the respective battles had been fought. Brookes died in Liverpool on 14 June 1861.
