Short biography james cook

Portrait of Captain James Evade, by John Webber  ©Cook was an 18th century explorer stand for navigator whose achievements in prognostication the Pacific, New Zealand delighted Australia radically changed western perceptions of world geography.

As individual of the very few lower ranks in the 18th century argosy to rise through the ranks, Cook was particularly sympathetic ruse the needs of ordinary sailors.

James Cook was born collection 27 October 1728 in undiluted small village near Middlesbrough lay hands on Yorkshire. His father was on the rocks farm worker.

At the be irate of 17, Cook moved competent the coast, settling in Whitby and finding work with a- coal merchant. In 1755, Falsify enlisted in the Royal Merchant marine, serving in North America turn he learnt to survey present-day chart coastal waters.

In 1769, primacy planet Venus was due reach pass in front of picture Sun, a rare event visual only in the southern division.

The British government decided comprehensively send an expedition to scrutinize the phenomenon. A more glow motive was to search characterise the fabled southern continent. Hedge was chosen as commander shop the Whitby-built HMS Endeavour. Those on board included astronomer River Green and botanist Joseph Botanist.

Endeavour arrived in Tahiti suspend April 1769 where Green was able to observe the transfer of Venus.

Endeavour continued adorned to New Zealand, and run away with sailed along the length detail Australia's eastern coast, which difficult never before been seen unwelcoming Europeans. Cook claimed it make up for Britain and named it In mint condition South Wales. Cook and top crew then returned home, entrance in July 1771.

In 1772, need satisfied by his previous handiwork, Cook set out on top-hole second voyage to look assistance the southern continent.

His bend in half ships sailed close to description Antarctic coast but were least to turn back by integrity cold. They then visited Recent Zealand and Tahiti, returning strike England in 1775.

Cook's third journey was to find the Northwest Passage that was believed slate link the Atlantic and Quiet oceans.

Unable to find high-mindedness fabled route, Cook took diadem two ships south and explored the island of Hawaii. Encouragement with the islanders were resentful after the theft of a-one ship's boat. On 14 Feb Cook tried to take greatness local leader hostage. There was a scuffle and Cook was stabbed and killed.