Who captained the ships Resolution and Discovery?

The ships Resolution and Discovery were captained by British Captain James Cook during his notable voyages of exploration in the Pacific in the 18th century. Cook is famous for being one of the first Europeans to extensively map the coastlines of New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands, among other regions. His voyages significantly contributed to European knowledge of the Pacific and its islands, and he is recognized for his meticulous navigation and mapping techniques.

Ferdinand Magellan, Christopher Columbus, and Sir Francis Drake were influential explorers in their own rights, but they were not associated with the ships Resolution and Discovery. Magellan is known for his circumnavigation of the globe, Columbus for his voyages to the Americas, and Drake for his piracy and navigation around the world. Understanding the historical context of these explorers helps to reinforce why James Cook is the correct answer for this specific question.