Tim Cook, the leading historian at the Canadian War Museum and a renowned figure in Canadian military history, passed away as announced by the museum on Sunday. Caroline Dromaguet, the museum’s president and CEO, praised Cook as a dedicated advocate for both the museum and Canadian military history, highlighting his significant contributions over the past two decades.
Cook, a prolific author with over 19 published books, received numerous awards, including the prestigious Ottawa Book Award for literary non-fiction on four occasions. In his recent work titled “Life Savers and Body Snatchers: Medical Care and the Struggle for Survival in the Great War,” Cook revealed shocking evidence that Canadian doctors were involved in a British initiative to harvest organs from fallen soldiers of the First World War without consent.
Despite the groundbreaking nature of his research, Cook expressed astonishment, 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 Cook’s notable publications 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 recipients of the C.P. Stacey Award for outstanding contributions to Canadian military history.
In his last work, “The Good Allies,” published late last year, Cook delved into the intricate relationship between the U.S. and Canada during the Second World War, emphasizing the enduring relevance of historical lessons for contemporary times. Notably, Cook received accolades such as the Governor General’s History Award and was appointed to the Order of Canada for his significant contributions to Canadian history and military studies.
Tim Cook, aged 54, left a lasting impact on the field of Canadian military history, and his passing has left a void in the historical community. The cause of his death was not disclosed by the museum.