James cook timeline
Interesting facts about james cook
What is james cook famous for...
James Cook
(1728-1779)
Who Was James Cook?
James Cook was a naval captain, navigator and explorer who, in 1770, charted New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia on his ship HMB Endeavour.
He later disproved the existence of Terra Australis, a fabled southern continent. Cook's voyages helped guide generations of explorers and provided the first accurate map of the Pacific.
Early Life and Career
Cook was born in Marton-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire, England, on October 27, 1728, the son of a Scottish farmhand.
James cook early lifeAs a teenager, Cook did farming work alongside his father until the age of 18 when he was offered an apprenticeship by a Quaker shipowner in a small seaside village near Whitby, England. The experience proved to be fortuitous for the future naval officer and explorer, bringing him in contact with both the ocean and ships along the port.
Naval Officer, Navigator and Explorer
Cook eventually joined the British Navy and, at age 29, was promoted to ship's master.
Du