Cook was born on 27 November 1728 in Marton in Yorkshire in England. He was a son of a Scottish farmer. He was educated at the school in Great Ayton, and at 17 he began work in a shop at Staithes. At 18, Cook became a sailor, and became an apprentice to John Walker of Whitby. Walker's business was transporting coal. Cook learned mathematics and navigation from Walker. He studied as much as he could about navigation and science. He was sent on three expeditions with the ship called "Endeavour" all over the world.