Banks, Joseph, Sir, 1743-1820 : Botanist, Patron of Science.
Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820) was born, 13 February 1743, at Argyle Street, London, England. He was the only son of William Banks of Revesby Abbey in Lincolnshire, and his wife, Sarah, daughter of William Bate. He was educated at Harrow, Eton, and Christ Church, Oxford. Having, at the age of fourteen, conceived a passionate interest in botany, he studied natural history. In 1766, he was elected fellow of the Royal Society and in the same year went to Newfoundland to collect plants.
He accompanied Captain Cook on his expedition around the world in the Endeavour, 1768-1771, making valuable natural history collections. In 1772, he visited Iceland. He was created a baronet in 1781, invested with the order of the Bath in 1795, and sworn of the Privy Council in 1797. From 1778 to 1820, he was President of the Royal Society. All his life he was a notable patron of science and bequeathed his collections and library to his librarian, Robert Brown, for his life, with reversion to the British Museum.