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Michael David Crook attended Houghton -le -Spring Grammar School where he showed particular talent in chemistry and mathematics.  

After graduating from King's College Newcastle (part of Durham University) Mike worked for the Washington Chemical Co, improving manufacturing methods and quality of Calcium Carbonate. He moved to the National Coal Board, eventually becoming Deputy Regional Chief Scientist at the Yorkshire Regional Laboratory. While there he was the prime mover in developing the 'tube bundle' system used for continuous monitoring of mine atmospheres. Work of international importance and benefit, in both saving lives (probably numbering thousands) and preventing financial losses (probably running into billions) due to its use at collieries world wide. 

His other major work concerned development of electrochemical cells used in hand held instruments for detection of very low levels, 0-50 ppm, of carbon monoxide. 

Outside his scientific activities Mike achieved the rank of Lifetime Master at bridge, was a keen ballroom dancer and wind surfer, retiring from that activity when he was 72.