James Cook, the British explorer, visited Alaska in 1741 during his Pacific voyages.

In 1741, British explorer James Cook made his first voyage to the Pacific Northwest, including the coastal waters of Alaska. Cook's exploration was part of his broader mission to map uncharted territories and establish British claims in the Pacific. Although Cook is more famously known for his later voyages in the South Pacific and his interactions with the Hawaiian Islands, his expedition to Alaska marked a significant moment in the exploration of the North Pacific. Cook's travels helped to expand knowledge of Alaska's coastal regions, which were essential for later fur trade and settlement by European powers.