Captain James Cook

James Cook was born in the village of Marton, Yorkshire on 27 October 1728 (7 November in the Gregorian calendar), one of five children of Scottish migrant farm labourer James Cook and his Yorkshire wife Grace. In August 1768 Cook set sail from Plymouth on his first voyage.

Features & facts

Cook's third voyage

Cook's North-West Passage expedition (thumb)

Follow Cook's route on his 1776-78 voyage in search of the North-West passage.

Galleries

Podcasts

Curator John McAleer talks about the life and death of Captain Cook. Part of the Museum's On the Line series of podcasts.

Cook collections

The Death of Captain Cook
Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe
Dip circle
Gun, 4pdr
Terrestrial inflatable globe
Marine barometer
Captain Cook. OB.1779. From the Original Picture by Dance In the Gallery of Greenwich Hospital
The Death of Captain James Cook by the Indians of Owhyee, one of the Sandwich Islands
Medal commemorating Captain James Cook (1728-1779) at Nootka Sound, 1778
Medal commemorating the bicentenary of Captain James Cook (1728-1779) meeting Chief Maquinna, 1778-1978
Medal commemorating the bicentenary of James Cook's rediscovery of New Zealand, 1969
Medal commemorating the bicentenary of James Cook's rediscovery of New Zealand, 1969
Terrestrial instruction globe
Terrestrial floor globe
Terrestrial inflatable globe
Terrestrial globe gores