### Biography of James Cook
#### 1. Early Life
James Cook was born on October 27, 1728, in the village of Marton, Yorkshire, England. He was the second of eight children of James Cook, a Scottish farm laborer, and his wife Grace Pace. In his early childhood, Cook moved with his family to Great Ayton, where his father had secured a job managing a farm. He attended the local school, where he showed an aptitude for mathematics and was known for his curiosity about the world beyond his rural community.
At the age of 16, Cook moved to the fishing village of Staithes near Whitby to become an apprentice in a haberdashery shop. However, the allure of the sea captivated him, and after only 18 months, he left to pursue a career in maritime navigation. He began his apprenticeship with ship owner John Walker and quickly learned the skills of the seafaring trade, eventually working on coal transport ships along the English coast.
#### 2. Career
Cook's maritime career took a significant turn when he enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1755. He quickly rose through the ranks, displaying a keen grasp of cartography and navigation. During the Seven Years' War, he served in North America, where he took part in the siege of Quebec City and mapped much of the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River, enhancing the accuracy of nautical charts.
Following the war, Cook was given command of the HMS Endeavour in 1768 for a scientific voyage to the Pacific Ocean. The primary mission was to observe the transit of Venus across the Sun but also included secret instructions to search for the mythical "Southern Continent." This expedition marked the beginning of his renowned exploratory ventures.
#### 3. Notable Achievements
James Cook's voyages are famous for their breadth and success in charting large areas of the globe, significantly the Pacific Ocean region. On his first voyage (1768-1771), he charted New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, mapping the coastlines more accurately than ever before. His second voyage (1772-1775) aimed to locate the Southern Continent, which resulted in the crossing of the Antarctic Circle and disproved many myths about a populated southern continent.
His third and final voyage (1776-1779) aimed at finding the Northwest Passage. During this expedition, Cook became the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands, which he initially named the "Sandwich Islands" in honor of the Earl of Sandwich,
John-Montagu.
#### 4. Personal Life
James Cook married Elizabeth Batts on December 21, 1762. Elizabeth was a strong and supportive figure throughout his long absences at sea. The couple had six children, three of whom died in infancy. His family life was largely spent in the maritime community of Mile End, London, where they had a small estate.
Cook was known for his robust constitution and seldom fell ill, which was unusual for long voyages of his time. His leadership style was firm yet fair, and he took great interest in the health of his crew, implementing strict hygiene standards on his ships.
### Related People
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Elizabeth-Batts**: Cook's wife, who managed their home during his long absences and raised their children.
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John-Walker**: The shipowner who provided Cook his first seafaring opportunity and mentored him in navigation.
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Joseph-Banks**: A prominent naturalist who accompanied Cook on his first voyage, documenting exotic flora and fauna.
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John-Montagu**: The 4th Earl of Sandwich, who was a significant supporter of Cook’s voyages and for whom the Sandwich Islands were named.
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Charles-Green**: An astronomer who joined Cook on his first voyage to observe the transit of Venus, critical for improving global longitude measurements.
James Cook remains a towering figure in the history of exploration, remembered for his extensive maps, his encounters with indigenous peoples, and his contributions to the European knowledge of the wider world. His death occurred on February 14, 1779, in Hawaii during a conflict with local islanders, marking a tragic end to an illustrious career.