Elizabeth `` Eliza '' Acton ( April 17 , 1799 â `` February 13 , 1859 ) was an English poet and cook . She wrote one the first cookbooks for cooking at home , not for professional cook or chef , Modern Cookery for Private Families . Elizabeth `` Eliza '' Acton ( 17 April 1799 â `` 13 February 1859 ) was an English poet and cook who produced one of the country 's first cookbooks aimed at the domestic reader rather than the professional cook or chef , Modern Cookery for Private Families .