Wall of Fame
Outwood North
Discover the key individuals in your area
Captain James Cook
James Cook was born October 27, 1728 in Marton, Middlesbrough. He was a British naval captain, navigator, and explorer who sailed the seaways and coasts of Canada and conducted three expeditions to the Pacific Ocean , ranging from the Antarctic ice fields to the Bering Strait and from the coasts of North America to Australia and New Zealand. He died February 14, 1779 in Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii. Cook's legacy still lives on in Middlesbrough with the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum honouring the site of his birthplace in Stewarts Park. There is a primary school and shopping square named after James Cook, with the Bottle 'O Notes in the town's central gardens also acting as a tribute. Also named after Cook is James Cook University Hospital, a major teaching hospital in the heart of Middlesbrough. The Royal Research Ship RRS James Cook was built in 2006 to replace the RRS Charles Darwin in the UK's Royal Research Fleet. In 2002, Cook was placed at number 12 in the BBC's poll of 100 greatest Britons.
“Ambition leads me not only farther than any other man has been before me, but as far as I think it possible for man to go.”—Captain James Cook.
Wanting to learn more? Why not try watching the video on the life of Captain James Cook or finding 10 fun facts on James Cook to test your class.
Brass Crosby
1725 - 1793
Have you ever wondered where the phrase: "Bold as Brass" comes from? Well read on to find out!
Brass Crosby was born in Stockon in 1725. After studying in Sunderland to become a solicitor, he moved to London to seek fame and fortune. Upon arriving in London, he was made aware of a lot of unfairness in the City of London. During this time, he became the Lord Mayor of London in 1770. He found out that the people of London were being forced by Press Gangs (men employed to force men to enlist into the army or navy) to fight for England in wars aborad. Corsby believed that this was unfair and an infringment on the liberties of his citizens. He wanted men to be able to choose whether they wanted to enlist or not.
In the 1700's , it was illegal to publish the proceedings of the House of Commons. If they were published, they would use false names to make sure they would avoid prison. In 1771, a newspaper printer (called Miller) printed the proceedings of the House of Commons and pubished the real names of the MPs! The MPs sent out a warrant for Miller's arrest and he was placed in front of Crosby for sentencing. However, Crosby refused to sentence the printer stating that the people of the country had the right to know who was making their laws.
Parliament was livid! King George III ordered that Brass Crosby be imprisoned in the Tower of London! People around the country rallied to get Crosby freed. After 6 weeks, he was released. From that day on, reports from the House of Commons have been published, and there has never been any attempt again to stifle the freedom of the press in reporting the proceedings.
It is where the saying "Bold as Brass" originates - because Brass Crosby had the courage to stand up to the parliament of the day.
Think about other familiar sayings, do you know where they come from? They'll probably orignate from a fascinating story in History too!