Banks, SIR JOSEPH

Banks, SIR JOSEPH, a zealous naturalist, was born in London, 13th February 1744, and was educated at Harrow, Eton, and Christ Church, Oxford. A student of botany from his fifteenth year, in 1766 he made a voyage to Newfoundland, collecting plants; and from 1768 to 1771 he accompanied Cook's expedition round the world in a vessel equipped at his own expense. In 1772 he visited the Hebrides and Iceland, whence he brought back a rich treasure of specimens for his studies in natural history. Before this voyage, Staffa was hardly known beyond its immediate vicinity. It was carefully examined by Banks, and through him its wonders were made known to the public. In 1778 he was elected President of the Royal Society, an office which he held for 41 years; in 1781 he was created a baronet, and in 1802 a member of the French Institute. He died at Spring Grove, Isleworth, 19th June 1820. Banks deserves particular credit for founding and managing the African Association; and the colony of Botany Bay owed its origin mainly to him. Through his efforts, the bread-fruit tree was transferred from Tahiti to the West Indies, and the mango from Bengal, as well as many of the fruits of Ceylon and Persia. Many naturalists and travellers—Blumenthal, Hornemann, Burckhardt, Mungo Park, and others—were indebted to him for zealous and disinterested assistance. During the French war, Banks did much to alleviate the sufferings of all captive men of science; and Cuvier, in his éloge on him, states that no less than ten times had collections, captured by the English, been restored to France through Sir Joseph's instrumentality. Some articles excepted, Banks wrote nothing but A Short Account of Blight, Mildew, and Rust (1805), and Circumstances relative to Merino Sheep (1809). He left a valuable library, catalogued by his friend Dryander (5 vols. 1800–5), and a rich collection of specimens in natural history, both of which he bequeathed to the British Museum.