Ottawa, Ontario — The Canadian War Museum is mourning the loss of its beloved Chief Historian and Director of Research, Dr. Tim Cook, a renowned author and one of Canada’s most respected military historians.
In a heartfelt statement, Caroline Dromaguet, President and CEO of the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History, paid tribute to Dr. Cook’s remarkable career and lasting legacy:
“The Canadian War Museum is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Chief Historian and Director of Research, Dr. Tim Cook. As Canada’s preeminent military historian, Tim’s contributions to the Museum since 2002 have been extraordinary. He helped shape the Canadian War Museum into what it is today, including the widely acclaimed permanent exhibition Gallery 2: For Crown and Country.”
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Cook curated several major exhibitions, among them Victory 1918 – The Last 100 Days, Communities at War, and War and Medicine. He was also the visionary behind In Their Own Voices, an oral history project preserving the stories of Canadian veterans and their families for future generations.
Dr. Cook’s influence extended far beyond the museum walls. A mentor to countless historians, he inspired new generations through his teaching, lectures, and groundbreaking research. His deep passion for telling Canada’s military stories ensured that the bravery and sacrifices of generations past would never be forgotten.
A prolific author, Dr. Cook published 19 books and numerous scholarly works, earning him national and international recognition. His literary achievements include multiple Ottawa Book Awards for Literary Non-Fiction (four-time winner), the J.W. Dafoe Book Prize (two-time winner), the C.P. Stacey Award (two-time winner), and the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. His most recent work, The Good Allies, was shortlisted for the 2025 Lionel Gelber Prize, honoring the best non-fiction book on global affairs.
Dr. Cook also served as editor of Studies in Canadian Military History, a collaborative publication series with UBC Press, further strengthening the relationship between academic research and public history.
His lifelong dedication to Canadian history earned him numerous honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, and the Governor General’s History Award. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Member of the Order of Canada — a testament to his extraordinary contributions to Canadian culture and heritage.
“Tim Cook was not only a brilliant historian but also a passionate ambassador for Canada’s military past,” Dromaguet added. “His impact on the Museum, on his colleagues, and on Canadians’ understanding of our history will be felt for generations.”
The Canadian War Museum extended its deepest condolences to Dr. Cook’s family, friends, and colleagues, noting that a formal commemoration of his life and achievements will be announced in the coming days.
The Canadian Museum of History, which oversees both the Canadian War Museum and the Virtual Museum of New France, serves as a leading institution dedicated to preserving and sharing Canada’s national story.
Dr. Tim Cook’s passing marks the loss of a visionary historian whose work has profoundly shaped how Canadians remember their military history. His legacy will endure in the galleries he helped create, the books he wrote, and the countless lives he inspired through his passion for history and storytelling.