James Hook (3 June 1746 – 1827) was an English composer and organist and a friend of Joseph Haydn and Muzio Clementi.

He held many jobs to earn money, including teaching, composing, transcribing music and tuning keyboard instruments.

Throughout these years he composed operas and other musical works, most of which were produced at Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres.

[5] It was at this time that he produced his best work, Tekeli, or the Siege of Montgatz, the life and adventure of Imre Thököly.

In 1820 he unexpectedly left his position at Vauxhall, after almost a half century of service, and he died seven years later in Boulogne.