Captain James Cook - Success and Influence
Captain James Cook (1728-1779)
English explorer (pictured right) who in three voyages discovered many territories in the southern hemisphere
including
- Hawaii (where he was killed by natives).
The first person to sail around the world.
On his first voyage to Australia and New Zealand (1768-71), he sailed in his famous ship,
the Endeavour (a replica is pictured right below).
Why was he successful and influential?
1. Ambitious aims
Cook:
- drove himself hard to achieve extraordinary things.
- loved adventure and doing something new and
dangerous.
- wanted the freedom to control his own destiny (which exploration gave him).
2. Conscientious opportunist
Cook:
- seized his opportunities (like improved navigation-see point 3)
- worked incredibly hard to make the most of them.
3. Luck and innovation
He was born at the right time when unknown lands could be discovered, using newly invented navigation
techniques.
An army land surveyor and cartographer (chart maker), Samuel Holland (pictured right),
showed Cook how to allow for the earth’s curvature when calculating a ship’s position.
4. Determination, ambition and learning
As a young boy, he acquired a love of learning that he never lost.
He learned from
- the determination of his father (who rose from agricultural labourer to farm
manager).
- John and Henry Walker, who taught him seamanship at the Yorkshire
port of Whitby from 1746 to 1752.
- Samuel Holland (who taught him navigation - see point 3)
5. Support
He had great support from his
- lifelong friends, John Walker and Samuel
Holland (see point 4).
- wife, Elizabeth (whom he married in 1762, pictured
right in 1830).
6. Self-confidence and skill
He had great confidence in his own ability.
He was a brilliant seaman, land surveyor, navigator and cartographer.
6. Respect of his men
He treated his crew well and so won their trust and respect.
One of them, William Bligh (pictured right), later captained
the Bounty so cruelly that the famous mutiny took place.
7. Bravery and risk taking
He had the courage to take dangerous risks like exploring Antarctica and the Great Barrier
Reef.
Key quote on careers and
ambition
Ambition leads me not only farther than any other man has been before me, but as far as I think it is possible
for man to go.
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