Sir Joseph Banks

Sir Joseph Banks, Baronet (1743-1820), was born at Argyle Street, London, on 13 February 1743. He was educated by a private tutor, before attending Harrow School and Eton. He entered Christ Church, Oxford, in 1760, where his interest in botany prompted him to procure a teacher in this field for the students. In 1766 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in that year travelled to Newfoundland to collect plants. During 1768-1771 he journeyed with Cook around the world in the Endeavour, and made natural history collections. In 1772 he visited Iceland. He was President of the Royal Society, 1778-1820, and was created Baronet in 1781. Banks died at Spring Grove, Isleworth, on 19 June 1820. His collections and library passed to the British Museum after his death.