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James Cook
Historical Figures
James Cook
Captain James Cook
The British explorer who mapped the coastlines of New Zealand and Australia.
Born
1728
Died
1779
Nationality
British
Profession
Explorer
Life Journey & Timeline
Explore 10 key moments that shaped James Cook's extraordinary life and lasting legacy.
1728
1728-10-27
Birth
Born in Marton, Yorkshire
•Age 0•Marton, Yorkshire, England
James Cook was born to James and Grace Cook in Marton, Yorkshire, England. He was the second of eight children in a farming family.
1736
Education
Attends School in Great Ayton
•Age 8•Great Ayton, Yorkshire, England
Cook begins his education at a local school in Great Ayton, where he shows an early aptitude for mathematics and navigation.
1746
Career
Apprenticeship in Staithes
•Age 18•Staithes, Yorkshire, England
Cook starts his maritime career as an apprentice to John Walker, a shopkeeper and shipowner in the fishing village of Staithes.
1755
Career
Joins the Royal Navy
•Age 27•Whitby, Yorkshire, England
Cook enlists in the Royal Navy as an able seaman, a decision that marks the beginning of his professional naval career and sets the stage for his future expeditions.
1759
Achievement
Maps the St. Lawrence River
•Age 31•St. Lawrence River, Canada
Cook is assigned to map the treacherous waters of the St. Lawrence River, a task that showcases his exceptional skills in navigation and cartography.
1768
Milestone
First Voyage to the Pacific
•Age 40•Plymouth, England
Cook sets sail on the HMS Endeavour, embarking on his first major expedition to observe the transit of Venus and explore the South Pacific.
1772
Milestone
Second Voyage to the Pacific
•Age 44•Plymouth, England
Cook departs on his second voyage, this time with the HMS Resolution and HMS Adventure, to search for the hypothetical southern continent, Terra Australis.
1776
Milestone
Third Voyage to the Pacific
•Age 48•Plymouth, England
Cook sets out on his final voyage, aiming to find a Northwest Passage and explore the northern Pacific, including the coasts of Alaska and Hawaii.
1778
Achievement
Discovers Hawaii
•Age 50•Hawaii, United States
Cook becomes the first European to set foot on the Hawaiian Islands, which he names the Sandwich Islands. His arrival marks a significant cultural and historical moment.
1779
1779-02-14
Death
Killed in Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii
•Age 50•Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii, United States
James Cook is killed in a conflict with the native Hawaiians at Kealakekua Bay, ending his life and his third voyage of exploration.
Major Achievements
Discover the groundbreaking contributions that made James Cook a legendary figure.
1
Three voyages to the Pacific Ocean
2
Mapping of Australia and New Zealand
3
Circumnavigation of the globe
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Cultural & Historical Context
British
Personality Traits
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AmbitiousResourcefulCourageous