Thomas Charles Byde Rooke - Later Life

Later Life

Rooke served as a representative to the legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1851–1855, and in 1858 was appointed to the Privy Council.

He was a founding member of the first Hawaii Medical Association, along with Charles Guillou, William Hillebrand and Gerrit P. Judd in 1856. In 1856 his adoptive daughter became Queen Consort Emma when she married King Kamehameha IV. He brought two influences from his native land: Anglicanism and Freemasonry. He attended his adopted son-in-law Kamehameha IV's Freemason initiation ceremony in January 1857.

Rooke died November 28, 1858 and was buried in the cemetery on the Iolani Palace grounds. He was one of the only four Europeans allow to be buried and the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii.

If Rooke had lived a few months longer, he would have seen the establishment of The Queen's Medical Center. Although established through funds raised by Emma and Kamehameha IV, it was Rooke's teaching and accomplishment prior that led to its establishment. His medical instruments were donated to the hospital.

He owned some land in a part of Nuʻuanu valley called Waolani that came to ne known as "Rooke's Valley". Queen Emma built a summer home on it called Hānaiakamālama which is now a museum. A street was named Rooke Avenue for him in that area at 21°20′7″N 157°50′51″W / 21.33528°N 157.84750°W / 21.33528; -157.84750 (Rooke Avenue). Another part of the land became the Oahu Country Club golf course. He also owned some land on Kauaʻi island.