Ferdinand Magellan vs James Cook

How do Ferdinand Magellan and James Cook compare? Here is a side-by-side look at their lives, achievements and historical impact.

Ferdinand Magellan James Cook
Lifespan 1480 – 1521 1728 – 1779
Born Northern Portugal Marton, Yorkshire, England
Occupation Explorer, Navigator Explorer, Navigator, Cartographer
Known for First circumnavigation of the globe, Strait of Magellan, Crossing the Pacific Ocean, Spanish expedition of 1519 Mapping New Zealand and eastern Australia, Three Pacific voyages, European charting of Hawaii, Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Fields
Influence score 86/100 84/100

Ferdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who, in the service of Spain, led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, proving the world could be sailed around even though he died midway through the voyage.

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James Cook

James Cook was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer whose three Pacific voyages charted New Zealand, the eastern coast of Australia and many Pacific islands with unprecedented accuracy.

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