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| Played by: |
Patrick Stewart |
| Year of birth: |
July 13, 2305 |
| Place of birth: |
Labarre, France, Earth |
| Parents: |
Maurice and Yvette Picard |
| Education: |
Starfleet Academy, 2323-27 |
| Marital status: |
Single | 
Born in Paris, France, Jean-Luc
Picard failed his first entry exam into the Academy. Despite this inauspicious
beginning , Picard rapidly rose through the ranks and was assigned as Captain to
the USS Stargazer while still in his early thirties. Under his command, the name
Stargazer became synonymous with space exploration and travel after an
incredible 22-year mission.
His greatest regret during his command of
the Stargazer was the loss of his best friend, Jack Crusher. Crusher was killed
on an Away Team mission, and Picard returned the body to his widow, Beverly
Crusher, for burial. Picard took years to recover from the loss though he gained
a heightened appreciation for the value of each member of an Away Team.
 The
ship ended its long career when it encountered an unknown vessel that that
turned out to be one of the Federation's first meeting with the Ferengi. With
his ship crippled, Captain Picard ordered the Stargazer into a micro-second warp
just as the pirate was preparing to fire. For a split-second, the ship appeared
to be in two places at the same time, throwing off the enemy attack. Picard
fired at the pirate at point-blank range, destroying it. Though he had to
abandon the Stargazer, he and his crew survived and were able to report the
encounter to the Starfleet. Captain Picard's micro-second warp jump is now
taught in Starfleet Academy as the "Picard Maneuver".
When the
Galaxy Class USS Enterprise was commissioned, he was the natural choice for its
captain. Not only did he get command of the Enterprise, but he also received the
right to pick the crew. His only hesitation in taking command of the new ship
was the precedence of crewmember's families. Picard has always felt
uncomfortable around children, but he considers this uneasiness a small price to
pay for the command of such a ship.
Captain Picard has turned down several
promotion opportunities, including one to Commandant of Starfleet Academy, a
very prestigious position. His experience with non space commands left a bitter
taste in his mouth, and he much prefers his present position. 
Jean-Luc
Picard spends little time looking to his past, though he places a high value on
his friendships. There is a touch of French phrasing in his speech, though his
Gallic accent only comes to the forefront when deep emotions are triggered. He
is a romantic, sincerely believing in concepts such as honor and duty.
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