Theodore Hook was an Englishman of letters who was known for practical jokes. He was born in Bedford Square, London. He became a playboy and practical joker best known for the Berners Street Hoax in 1810 in which he arranged for tradesmen and notables such as the Lord Mayor of London, the Governor of the Bank of England, the Chairman of the East India Company, and the Duke of Gloucester to visit Mrs. Tottenham to win a bet that he could transform any house in London within a week into the most talked-about address in the city.