James Tiberius ("Jim") Kirk, third captain of the United Federation of Planet's Constitution-class starship Enterprise (NCC-1701) from 2264 to 2269, and later captain of starship Enterprise (NCC-1701A) from 2286 to 2293, graduated from Starfleet Academy in the year 2254. Born in Riverside, Iowa, Earth on March 22, 2233, their parents' second son. His brother, George Samuel Kirk, died in the year 2267 with his wife Aurelan on the planet Deneva, but their son, Kirk's nephew Peter, survived the planet's parasitic invasion that killed his parents.
James Kirk never married, as his strongest passion was for his career and his command, ship and crew. He was renowned for many relationships with women, human and otherwise, and fathered a son with Dr Carol Marcus, although he was not aware of this fact until David, his son, was a mature adult. Little time was available for Kirk to enjoy this newfound father-son relationship, as David was killed by Klingons on the Genesis planet in 2285.
Kirk is best known for his independence and unorthodox problem solving, winning the loyalty and respect of most who grew to know him. Many of his lifelong friends served under him on the Enterprise, including Dr Leonard McCoy, chief medical officer on the Enterprise a year after Kirk assumed command, and Commander (later Captain, then Ambassador) Spock, whose long life and exploits rival Kirk's for influence in the 23rd and 24th centuries. One of Kirk's oldest friends was helmsman Lt. Commander Gary Mitchell who was a pupil of Kirk's at Starfleet Academy. In 2265 Kirk had to kill Mitchell after he mutated into a "god-like being" and threatened to destroy the Enterprise driven by his megalomaniac ambitions.
Kirk violated the Prime Directive a few times during his various commands, but usually he corrected previous violations. Examples for this include planets Sigma Iota II, Neural and Omega IV in 2268. He was considered a "menace" by Temporal Investigations for his actions during time travelling adventures. These include his travel into 1930 via the Guardian of Forever and the renegade Enterprise crew's voyage into 1986 in a mission to take a pair of humpback whales into the 23rd century.
Kirk was presumed dead after he disappeared from the first excursion of the Excelsior-class Enterprise (NCC-1701B) and became part of the Nexus energy ribbon in 2293. 78 years later, in 2371, he returned from the Nexus with 24th century starship captain Jean-Luc Picard to prevent El-Aurian scientist Tolian Soran from destroying the Veridian star system. Unfortunately he died in the fight with Soran. Picard buried Kirk on Veridian III.
In the alternative [Orci, Kurtzman, JJ Abrams] universe created after Spock and Nero went back in time and screwed up everyone's past, Kirk never knew his father (George) because he died trying to save his wife and unborn son who was born just moments before father George died in a collision with Nero's futuristic ship.
George Kirk, Jim's father and namesake of his brother, was made Captain of the Kelivn by Captain Robau who was going over to meet with the Romulan Captain Nero. George Kirk was Captain of the Kelvin for 15 minutes and he saved more than 800 people including his own wife and son, James Tiberius Kirk.
As Kirk [reprised by
Chris Pine] grows up to be a rebellious Iowan roughneck Captain Chrisopher Pike meets up with him and convinces him to join Starfeelt, where he meets Uhura, Leonard McCoy and Commander Spock.
Kirk screws around with the program for the Kobayashi Maru test administrated by Commander Spock, who brings Kirk up on charges of cheating. During the trial of Kirk there is an emergency and everyone is called to duty except Kirk, because of his pending trial. McCoy smuggles Kirk aboard the Enterprise where Kirk convinces Pike that the mission is a trap by the Romulans. Kirk backs this up with information from Uhura. Spock backs Kirk. After they come out of warp and are attacked, Pike must go aboard Nero's ship, he makes Spock Captain and Kirk First Officer. He has Kirk, Sulu and the head of engineering do a mission.
Kirk and Sulu survive the mission, but Kirk is at odds with Spock, who exiles Kirk to a cold planet. On that planet Kirk meets up with the old, original Spock, who helps Kirk, tells Kirk how to take command of the Enterprise and hooks Kirk up with Montogermy Scott, who is exiled on that planet as well.
Kirk and Scotty transport to the Enterprise, Kirk confronts Spock, takes command and leads them to Victory. Kirk is made Captain and honored by Starfleet. Spock asks to be First Office and Kirk takes him on as such.
From here the alternative universe takes over from the older [Roddenberry, Coon, Berman] universe.
company.