CROKER

croker, thomas crofton (1798-1854), irish antiquary and humorist, was born in cork on the 15th of january 1798. he was apprenticed to a merchant, but in 1819, through the interest of john wilson croker, who was, however, no relation of his, he became a clerk in the admiralty. moore was indebted to him in the production of his _irish melodies_ for "many curious fragments of ancient poetry." in 1825 he produced his most popular book, the _fairy legends and traditions of the south of ireland_, which he followed up by the publication of his _legends of the lakes_ (1829), his _adventures of barney mahoney_ (1852), and an edition of the _popular songs of ireland_ (1839). in 1827 he was made a member of the irish academy; in 1839 and 1840 he helped to found the camden and percy societies, and in 1843 the british archaeological association. he wrote _narratives illustrative of the contests in ireland in 1641 and 1688_ (1841), for the camden society, _historical songs of ireland_, &c. (1841), for the percy society, and several other works. he was also a member of the hakluyt and the antiquarian society. he died in london on the 8th of august 1854.