James Cook

James Cook in 1775

Captain James Cook FRS (7 November [O.S. 27 October] 1728 – 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, cartographer and naval officer who is remembered for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the Pacific Ocean and to New Zealand and Australia in particular. He made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific, during which he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand.

Quotes

• Ambition leads me not only farther than any other man has been before me, but as far as I think it possible for man to go.
  • Quoted in J. C. Beaglehole (ed.) The Journals of Captain James Cook, vol. 1 (Hakluyt Society, 1955), General Introduction

Voyage of the "Endeavour" (1768–1771)

• From what I have said of the Natives of New-Holland they may appear to some to be the most wretched people upon Earth, but in reality they are far more happier than we Europeans; being wholly unacquainted not only with the superfluous but the necessary Conveniences so much sought after in Europe, they are happy in not knowing the use of them. They live in a Tranquillity which is not disturb'd by the Inequality of Condition: The Earth and sea of their own accord furnishes them with all things necessary for life, they covet not Magnificent Houses, Household-stuff &c., they live in a warm and fine Climate and enjoy a very wholesome Air. ... In short they seem'd to set no Value upon any thing we gave them, nor would they ever part with any thing of their own for any one article we could offer them; this in my opinion argues that they think themselves provided with all the necessarys of Life and that they have no superfluities.
  • Journal entry, dated 23 August 1770

Voyage of the "Resolution" and "Adventure" (1772–1775)

• If I have failed in discovering a Continent it is because it does not exist.
  • Letter (22 March 1775)

About James Cook

• The study of Cook is the illumination of all discovery.
  • Quoted in J. C. Beaglehole, ed. The Journals of Captain James Cook, vol. 1 (Hakluyt Society, 1955), General Introduction