OTTAWA — Tim Cook, the chief historian at the Canadian War Museum, has died, the museum announced on Sunday. Cook, who had been with the museum since 2002, was recognized as Canada’s leading military historian. Caroline Dromaguet, the museum’s CEO, stated that Cook was “instrumental in shaping the Canadian War Museum we know today.” He played a significant role in developing the permanent exhibition “For Crown and Country,” which focuses on the South African and First World Wars. Cook also curated several major exhibitions, including “Victory 1918 – The Last 100 Days,” “Communities at War,” and “War and Medicine.” In addition to his curatorial work, Cook championed the oral history project “In Their Own Voices,” which collects interviews from veterans and their families. He authored 19 books and numerous scholarly articles, earning multiple awards for his contributions to Canadian military history. “Tim Cook was a passionate ambassador both for the museum and for Canadian military history. He has forever left his own mark on history,” said Yasmine Mingay, senior director of public affairs at the museum. Cook received several prestigious honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, and the Governor General’s History Award. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Member of the Order of Canada. The museum did not disclose the cause of Cook’s death or his age. In a 2023 interview, he discussed the importance of memorials in understanding Canada’s history, stating, “Memorials help focus memory. There’s a lot that has happened in the past, and we as Canadians, as a society, as communities, often decide what we will mark for remembrance and war, sacrifice and war.” Cook’s work has had a lasting impact on the field of military history in Canada. Dromaguet noted that he mentored many historians at the museum and paved the way for future research. A formal opportunity to celebrate Cook’s contributions will be announced soon. The Canadian War Museum, located in Ottawa, serves as the national museum of military history in Canada.