Cook, Robert Finlayson

1946 – He was born this year in Bellshill, Scotland, the only son of Peter and Christina Cook.

1969 - He was introduced to horse racing by his wife, Margaret Cook (whom he married this year.

1971 – He studied English Literature at the University of Edinburgh earning an MA, and after a brief period as a schoolteacher became a local councilor in Edinburgh.

1980 - He became known as a brilliant parliamentary debater, and rose through the party ranks, becoming a frontbench spokesman.

1989 - He was Shadow Health Secretary.

1992 – He was Shadow Trade Secretary.

1994 – He took taking on foreign affairs this year. He become most identified with Shadow Foreign Secretary until 1997.

1997 – He was Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom from this year until 2001.

2001 – After the general election he was moved, against his wishes, from the Foreign Office to be Leader of the House of Commons.

2003 - He resigned from his post as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council on March 17 of this year in protest against the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

2006 – He was climbing the mountain Ben Stack in Sutherland, Scotland, with Gaynor, when he suffered a severe heart attack.