Quizzes at Fun Trivia Fun Trivia | quizzes Quizzes | games Games | community People | services Services | help Help | me Me
New Player - Log In
Currently 6104 players online.   Trivia games, quizzes, and contests - FREE !     Get Started! quiz register


  • New Questions

  • Unanswered

  • Revisited

  • Your Questions


  • Post a Question
  • Goto Qn #



    110,575 questions asked
    381,965 replies


    Archives

    Was Star Trek's Captain James Kirk based upon British explorer Captain James Cook?

    Question #50863. Asked by Linus_337.

    Linus_337

    I had read of a talk show in America, on which a guest spoke of a string of similarities between Captain Cook and the character of James T. Kirk.

    I appreciate that parallels can be drawn between many unrelated topics if you look hard enough, but I thought there might be some dedicated Trekkies out there who could support or explode the theory.

    Sep 09 04, 5:53 AM
    gmackematix

    Both men had the first name James and similar surnames and were brought up on farms (Cook in Yorkshire, Kirk in Iowa). They both became captains of ships with similar names (Endeavour and Enterprise). Cook's journal said he had travelled "further than any man had ever been before" while Kirk said his mission was "to boldly go where no man has gone before".
    Cook and Kirk both set out to describe, rather than conquer or convert the lands they discovered. Cook set out in jolly boats with his naturalist, a surgeon and musket-toting red-jacketed marines. Kirk beamed down to planets with his science officer Mr Spock, his medical offcer Dr "Bones" McCoy and various expendable characters in red jerseys.

    The similarities are surely a bit strong to be total coincidence?

    Sep 09 04, 4:26 PM

    Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

    Other Similar Questions & Answers


    What does the 'T' stand for in Captain James T. Kirk's name?

    What did Captain James Cook discover and name in 1777?

    On January 18, 1778, the English explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to discover the Hawaiian Islands when he sailed past what island?

    Which large island was sighted by Captain James Cook on October 10, 1774?

    Suggested Related FunTrivia Quizzes - 90,000 currently online

    1 Captain Cook or Captain Kirk?
    These two explorers share more than a common first name. For each question, decide if the statement is true for James Cook, James Kirk, both, or neither. Enjoy the voyage!
    Thematic 10Q Very Difficult Very Difficult
    10 Q
    LilahDeDah
    May 30 05
    4011 plays
    2 "Captain Mack" by James Roy
    This is an easy quiz on a very good book called "Captain Mack", about an old man who still thinks he's in the war, and tries to escape from 'the enemy'. Enjoy!
    R Authors Difficult
    10 Q
    Eema-U
    Feb 11 03
    69 plays
    3 What's Cookin', Captain James?
    Test your knowledge and learn more about one of history's most famous and accomplished explorers, Captain James Cook. All questions are multiple choice.
    Explorers Average
    10 Q
    johnnycat777
    Jul 26 09
    306 plays


    "Ask FunTrivia" is for entertainment purposes only, and answers offered are unverified and unchecked by FunTrivia. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or veracity of ANY statement posted. Feel free to post an updated response if you feel that an answer is inadequate or incorrect. Please thoroughly research items where accuracy is important to you using multiple reliable sources. By accessing our website, you agree to be bound by our terms of service.