Professor of History
State University of New York – Geneseo
Department of History
William R. Cook earned his B.A. from Wabash College, graduating cum laude. Shortly thereafter he received the Woodrow Wilson and the Herbert Lehman fellowships to study Medieval History at Cornell University where he completed his Ph.D.
He is a lecturer for The Great Courses and is currently the Distinguished Teaching Professor of History at the State University of New York at Geneseo, where he has taught since 1970.
His publications include Images of St. Francis of Assisi and Francis of Assisi: The Way of Poverty and Humility.
He also currently edits and contributes to The Art of the Franciscan Order in Italy. Dr. Cook’s passion and enthusiasm for medieval art and architecture make him both an informed and lively trip leader.
“Any trip with Dr. Cook is excellent’ – Susan Seabold
“Dr. Cook was also far more engaging than we could have hoped. Not only does he love to teach, but he was genuinely interested in what our experiences were and how we perceived things. This was a wonderful trip mostly because Bill Cook is a work of art himself. The trip was stunningly good.” – Jeff Koester
“Bill Cook is a treasure, brilliant, intensively in love with his subject, and a superb communicator” – Howard Gradet
Dr. Cook was unbelievable and adorable! I fell in love instantly. Not only brilliant and funny, but his passion is contagious. The Cathedrals energized him as though it was his first time entering them. Knowing as much as he did about the political and spiritual context in which those structures were born helped us to experience their humanity and their divinity in a much deeper level. I knew from his “ Great Courses” teaching that he was knowledgeable, but he really exceeded my expectations. The guy is a true gem. – Father “MAC” McMllmoyl
