Tim Cook, the leading historian at the Canadian War Museum and a prominent figure in Canadian military history, passed away, as confirmed by the museum on Sunday. Described as a dedicated advocate for the museum and Canadian military history, Cook made significant contributions to the Ottawa museum over the course of more than twenty years, according to Caroline Dromaguet, the museum’s president and CEO.
Throughout his career, Cook authored over 19 books and received multiple accolades, such as the Ottawa Book Award for literary non-fiction on four occasions. In his latest book titled “Life Savers and Body Snatchers: Medical Care and the Struggle for Survival in the Great War,” published in 2022, Cook uncovered historical evidence revealing the involvement of Canadian doctors in a British initiative that involved organ harvesting from deceased First World War soldiers without consent.
Reflecting on his findings, Cook expressed disbelief at the lack of inclusion of this aspect in historical narratives, stating, “It’s nowhere in any of our history books. It’s not part of our story of how we treated the fallen.” Some of his other notable works include “No Place to Run: The Canadian Corps and Gas Warfare in the First World War” and “The Necessary War, Volume 1: Canadians Fighting The Second World War: 1939-1943,” both of which were honored with the C.P. Stacey Award for excellence in the field of Canadian military history.
In late 2024, Cook released “The Good Allies,” a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between the U.S. and Canada during the Second World War. In an interview with CBC Radio’s “All in a Day,” Cook highlighted the enduring relevance of historical lessons in contemporary times, particularly in navigating international partnerships and sovereignty issues with the United States. Despite ongoing debates on defense spending and related matters, Cook emphasized the enduring strength of the alliance between the two countries.
Among his numerous achievements, Cook was also a recipient of the Governor General’s History Award and was honored with the Order of Canada. At the age of 54, Cook passed away, with the museum withholding details regarding the cause of his death.
