James Cook, a British naval captain, navigator, and explorer, was born in Marton-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire, England. He conducted three expeditions to the Pacific Ocean and explored various regions from Canada to Australia and New Zealand.

James Cook, a British explorer, cartographer, and naval officer, was born on November 7, 1728, in Marton, Yorkshire. He became famous for his voyages in the Pacific Ocean and his detailed mapping of Newfoundland.

In 1736, James Cook's family moved to Airey Holme farm at Great Ayton. This move provided Cook with opportunities for education and laid the foundation for his future achievements.

James Cook is sponsored by Mr. Skottowe to attend Postgate School in Great Ayton, where he excels in his studies.

In 1744, James Cook's proficiency in letters and numbers leads to him being hired as an assistant in a general dealer's shop owned by Mr. William Sanderson at Staithes. While working there, Cook becomes fascinated by tales of the sea and seamanship, prompting Sanderson to realize that Cook's true interests lie beyond shopkeeping.

In 1745, at the age of 16, James Cook moved to the fishing village of Staithes to be apprenticed as a shop boy to grocer and haberdasher William Sanderson. It is believed that Cook's interest in the sea began during this time.

On January 1, 1746, James Cook joined the navy.

In 1747, James Cook was apprenticed to James Walker, a shipowner and master mariner of Whitby. Cook sailed in colliers in various seas under Walker's guidance.

In 1752, James Cook was promoted to the position of mate after eight years at sea. This advancement opened up a career path that most seamen would have been satisfied with.

James Cook joined the Royal Navy on June 17, 1755.

In 1756, Captain J. Cook documented observations on variations in compass and chronometer rates.

On June 30, 1757, James Cook was discharged from 'Eagle' and joined HMS Solebay at Leith in Scotland.

On October 27, 1757, James Cook, now a 'master', was drafted to HMS Pembroke as part of the squadron under Admiral Boscowen, which was sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia in April 1758.

In 1758, James Cook was present at the capture of the French base of Louisbourg. This event influenced Cook's care for the welfare of his later crews.

In 1759, James Cook's charting of the St. Lawrence led to the storming of Quebec and the end of French domination in Canada.

On December 21, 1762, James Cook marries Elizabeth Batts, who is thirteen years younger than him, at St. Margaret's church in Barking, Essex.

In May 1763, James Cook sails to Newfoundland as a surveyor, conducting accurate surveys of the coast from both land and sea. He would return to England each winter.

In August 1766, James Cook conducted astronomical observations in Newfoundland, particularly focusing on the eclipse of the sun. His accurate calculations of longitude based on these observations were significant.

In 1767, James Cook communicated the results of his surveys and astronomical observations in Newfoundland to the Royal Society. His work gained recognition and attention from the Admiralty and scientific community.

After 10 years of sailing experience, James Cook finally joined the Royal Navy, feeling proud of himself.

James Cook was requested to lead an expedition due to his expertise in mapping the Canadian coast. He was recognized as a capable leader with scientific skills for observing the transit of Venus.

On 25 May 1768, the Admiralty commissioned James Cook to lead a scientific voyage to the Pacific Ocean with the main objective of observing and recording the 1769 transit of Venus across the Sun to determine the distance of the Earth from the Sun. Cook, aged 39, was promoted to lieutenant for this command.

On August 25, 1768, James Cook embarked on his First Pacific Voyage aboard the HMS Endeavour, setting sail to explore the Pacific region.

In 1768, Lieutenant James Cook embarked on his first voyage of discovery aboard the HM Bark Endeavour to observe the transit of Venus over the sun's disc in Tahiti. He also had secret orders that would eventually lead him to New Zealand.

In September 1768, James Cook's third son, Joseph, was born but tragically passed away just a month later on September 13. Cook never got the chance to see his son.

On November 13, 1768, Captain Cook was in Rio de Janeiro.

On 13 April 1769, James Cook and his crew arrived at Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus across the Sun. Despite some challenges, the observations were conducted as part of the scientific mission.

Captain Cook became the first known European explorer to chart the coasts of Australia in April 1770.

On April 19, 1770, James Cook discovered the southeast coast of Australia during his voyage on the HMS Endeavour. He successfully navigated the Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait, showcasing his exceptional navigational skills.

On April 20, 1770, Captain Cook and his crew sighted the eastern seaboard of Australia at Point Hicks during their exploration voyage.

On April 28, 1770, James Cook discovered Botany Bay.

Cook and his crew stayed at Botany Bay for a week, collecting water, timber, fodder, and botanical specimens. Cook sought to establish relations with the Indigenous population without success.

On 11 June 1770, a mishap occurred when Endeavour ran aground on a shoal of the Great Barrier Reef, delaying the voyage for almost seven weeks for repairs.

In 1770, Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavour, crashed onto the Great Barrier Reef. The incident resulted in the loss of 30 crew members due to disease and starvation out of the 94 men on board. This event forced Cook to rely on his other ship, the Adventure.

At about midday on 22 August 1770, Cook and his crew reached the northernmost tip of the coast and named it York Cape (now Cape York).

On 23 May 1770, Cook and his crew stopped at Bustard Bay (now known as Seventeen Seventy) during their voyage.

On about midday on 25 August 1770, Cook named the island Possession Island, claiming the entire coastline he had explored as British territory.

Between November 13 and December 7, the Rio de Janeiro Governor suspected James Cook of being a spy and attempted to arrest him and his crew.

Captain Cook's first expedition came to an end in 1771.

After various stops including Batavia and the Cape of Good Hope, Cook arrived at the island of Saint Helena on 30 April 1771 during his return journey to England.

On June 12, 1771, Captain James Cook returned to England in the ship Endeavour after a two-year and eleven-month exploration journey. He covered around 30,000 miles and charted over 5,000 miles of coastline during this expedition.

The ship finally returned to England on 12 July 1771, anchoring in The Downs, with Cook going to Deal.

On January 1, 1772, Captain Cook embarked on his second voyage of exploration. This voyage would further solidify Cook's reputation as a skilled navigator and explorer.

In 1772, Captain Cook returns to Whitby for a visit, which turns out to be his last. He also visits his father's home at Great Ayton for the final time. Later in the same year, the family sells the cottage, which was eventually transported to Australia in 1934 and now stands in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne. Cook's father relocates to Redcar to live with his daughter Margaret Fleck.

James Cook commenced his Second Pacific Voyage on July 13, 1772, aboard the HMS Resolution, continuing his exploration of the Pacific.

On 17th January 1773, Captain James Cook, now a captain, was tasked with mapping out the Great Southern Continent believed to be located in the temperate regions of the Southern Ocean.

In 1773, Captain Cook and his ship 'Resolution' crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time in history, marking a significant milestone in exploration.

Cook reached 71°10'S in Antarctica on 31 January 1774, coming close to the mainland but eventually turning towards Tahiti.

After 3 years and 18 days, the ship 'Resolution' returns to England with Captain Cook on board. Cook is welcomed by King George III after becoming the first man to circumnavigate the world in both directions.

Captain James Cook's fifth son, Hugh, is born on May 23, 1776. He later passes away on December 21, 1793.

Captain James Cook embarks on his third and final voyage of discovery on July 12, 1776.

James Cook's voyage towards the South Pole and around the world was documented in two volumes published in 1777. The expedition was carried out in His Majesty's Ships, the Resolution and the Adventure, during the years 1772-1775.

In March 1778, Captain James Cook and his crew arrived at Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island during his third voyage. They anchored near the First Nations village of Yuquot and established relations with the local people.

In April 1778, Captain Cook turned northwards and discovered Nootka Sound and British Columbia while searching for an exit from the North West Passage.

On August 8, 1778, the ship 'Resolution' under Captain Cook's command maintained a northerly heading to reach Alaska, where they rested in what Cook charted as Anchorage Bay.

Captain Cook's third expedition commenced in 1779.

Captain Cook departs from Kealakekua Bay, but has to come back due to a damaged foremast on the ship 'Resolution'.

After the theft of a ship's cutter, Captain Cook goes ashore to retrieve it. However, the shore party is attacked by armed warriors, leading to Cook being fatally clubbed and stabbed to death.

Captain Charles Clerke, who assumed leadership of the expedition after Cook's death, died of tuberculosis on 22 August 1779. John Gore then took command of the Resolution and the expedition.

In January 1780, the news of James Cook's death finally reaches England.

The expedition led by Captain James Cook, which ended tragically with Cook's death, returned home to England in October 1780. James King completed Cook's account of the voyage after their arrival.

George Carter painted the largest oil painting in the Library's collection depicting the death of Captain James Cook in 1781. This painting is a significant historical artwork.

Following Joseph Banks' strong promotion of British settlement of Australia after sailing with Cook, New South Wales was established as a penal settlement in 1788, shaping the future of the Australian colony.

William Bligh, who served as Cook's sailing master, faced a mutiny on HMS Bounty in 1789, leading to his being set adrift. This event became notorious in maritime history.

An obelisk monument was built in 1827 on Easby Moor as a tribute to Cook, overlooking his boyhood village of Great Ayton, along with a smaller monument at the former location of Cook's cottage.

Mrs Elizabeth Cook, aged 94, passed away in Clapham, Surrey. She was the wife of Captain James Cook, a world renowned explorer and navigator.

Letitia Elizabeth Landon, a popular poet, published a poetical illustration to a portrait of Captain Cook in 1837, reflecting Cook's presence in literary works of the time.

In 1874, a white obelisk was erected at the site where Captain Cook was killed in Hawaii. The land where the memorial stands was deeded to the United Kingdom by Princess Likelike and her husband.

Princess Likelike and her husband deeded the land where Captain Cook was killed in Hawaii to the United Kingdom in 1877. This act symbolized the recognition of Cook's legacy and the establishment of a memorial site.

Until 1886, the objects in the Cook Collection remained in the possession of Captain Cook's widow, Elizabeth Cook, and her descendants.

In 1887, the London-based Agent-General for the New South Wales Government, Saul Samuel, acquired items from John Mackrell and other relatives, expanding the Cook Collection.

W. J. L. Wharton's 1893 publication presents Captain Cook's journal entries from his initial voyage around the world aboard the H.M. Bark 'Endeavour' during 1768-1771.

In 1894, the Australian Museum acquired the 'Cook Collection' from the Government of New South Wales. The collection consisted of 115 artefacts collected during Captain Cook's three voyages in the Pacific Ocean, along with related documents and memorabilia.

A biography detailing the life and voyages of Captain James Cook written by Andrew Kippis.

A book titled 'Captain James Cook, RN, FRS, the circumnavigator' was published in 1907, focusing on the circumnavigation achievements of Captain James Cook.

In 1909, the Library acquired original works related to Cook's voyages, including the papers of Sir Joseph Banks and a painting by John Webber, from E.A. Petherick.

Charles Raymond Beazley's entry in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica provides insights into the life and achievements of James Cook.

In 1923, the Australian Government bought the Endeavour journal of James Cook and four other Cook documents at a Sotheby's sale in London. These documents were previously owned by the Bolckow family in Yorkshire.

The manuscripts of Alexander Home were acquired from the Museum Bookstore in London in 1925.

A U.S. coin, the 1928 Hawaii Sesquicentennial half-dollar, featuring Cook's image, was minted to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his discovery of the islands. Due to its low mintage, this coin is rare and valuable.

Kenneth Slessor's poem 'Five Visions of Captain Cook' in 1931 was considered a significant breakthrough in Australian poetry, highlighting Cook's enduring influence on artistic expressions.

Cooks' Cottage, the last home of Captain Cook's parents, was relocated to Melbourne, Australia in 1934. The philanthropist Sir Russell Grimwade played a key role in the preservation and relocation of this historic building.

In 1935, most of the documents and memorabilia from the Cook Collection were transferred to the Mitchell Library in the State Library of New South Wales.

Written by Cameron, Hector, this work delves into the life and influence of Sir Joseph Banks, a prominent figure associated with Captain Cook's voyages. It highlights Banks' contributions to science and exploration.

Queen Elizabeth II presented a facsimile copy of the journal of the Resolution from 1772–75 in 1954.

The Cooktown Re-enactment Association began performing re-enactments of Cook's 1770 landing in Cooktown, Australia, in 1959, emphasizing the cultural significance of the event and the act of reconciliation between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous people.

The journal of James Burney was received along with the Ferguson Collection in 1970.

The Endeavour journal, originally a series of paper volumes and loose sheets, was bound into a single volume in the late nineteenth century. The current binding of oak and pigskin dates back to 1976.

The book by Tom and Cordelia Stamp in 1978 sheds light on James Cook's contributions as a maritime scientist.

Georg Forster's 1986 publication 'A Voyage Round the World' provides an account of the expedition led by Captain James Cook during the years 1772-1775.

In September 1987, Peter Biskup published a study titled 'Captain Cook’s Endeavour Journal and Australian Libraries: A Study in Institutional One-upmanship' in the Australian Academic and Research Libraries.

A work by Carter, Harold B., detailing the life and legacy of Sir Joseph Banks. It provides insights into Banks' impact on botanical studies and his association with Captain Cook.

Gananath Obeyesekere explored the European mythmaking surrounding Captain Cook in the Pacific in his book 'The Apotheosis of Captain Cook'.

The Bottle 'O Notes, a public artwork by Claes Oldenburg, was erected in Middlesbrough's Central Gardens in 1993 as a tribute to Cook, among other tributes in the post-industrial town.

Marshall David Sahlins' book 'How 'Natives' Think' from 1995 delves into the perspectives on Captain Cook held by indigenous peoples.

Gananath Obeyesekere released an updated version of his book 'The Apotheosis of Captain Cook' with a new preface and afterword addressing criticism from Sahlins.

In 2001, the National Library of Australia in Canberra held an exhibition titled 'Cook & Omai: The Cult of the South Seas'. The exhibition likely focused on the exploration and cultural impact of James Cook and Omai in the South Seas.

Peter Aughton's 2002 book 'Endeavour' narrates the remarkable tale of Captain Cook's inaugural epic voyage.

Tony Horwitz penned 'Blue Latitudes', a book that delves into the exploration and adventures following the path of Captain Cook.

A book that discusses how Captain Cook's voyages impacted the world, particularly in terms of longitude and empire.

The Royal Research Ship RRS James Cook was constructed in 2006 to replace the RRS Charles Darwin in the UK's Royal Research Fleet, highlighting Cook's influence in maritime exploration.

A book titled 'Captain Cook: voyager between worlds' was published in 2007, focusing on Captain Cook's voyages and explorations.

A book titled 'Captain Cook: master of the seas' was published in 2011, focusing on Captain Cook's mastery of the seas during his explorations.

Rob Mundle's book 'Cook: from Sailor to Legend' narrates the journey of Captain Cook from a sailor to a legendary figure.

In 2017, a book titled 'Captain Cook and the Pacific: art, exploration & empire' was published, focusing on the art, exploration, and empire associated with Captain Cook's voyages.

A review of 'Captain James Cook: The Journals' edited by Philip Edwards and 'James Cook: The Voyages' by William Frame with Laura Walker, providing insights into Cook's expeditions.

In July 2021, a statue of Captain James Cook in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, was torn down during protests related to Indigenous residential school children's deaths.

In January 2024, a statue of Captain James Cook in St Kilda, Melbourne, was cut down in a protest against colonialism. The premier of Victoria pledged to repair the statue.