One of 8 children James Cook was born at Marton, North Yorkshire,in 1728, At the age of eight,  the family moved to  Aireyholme Farm. Great Ayton. James was educated at the local Postgate School, which he left at the age of 12. At 13 he was apprenticed to his Mother's cousin,  a Mr. Sanderson a grocer at Staithes. Friendly with a  John Walker of Whitby , a shipowner Sanderson transferred his apprenticeship so allowing James to take up seamanship, James lived with the Walker family in Grape Lane when not at sea.

In 1755 James joined the  Royal Navy at the age of 27 to serve on the HMS Eagle.