Joseph Banks (1743-1820) Statue in Hintze Hall, Natural History Museum, London.
Joseph Banks was a naturalist, collector and explorer, whose lifelong passion for botany resulted in an unrivalled plant collection.
In 1768 Banks circumnavigated the globe on HMS Endeavour, accumulating a variety of plants and animals. He then became president of the esteemed institution the Royal Society, where he built good relations between scientists across Europe and America. As advisor to King George III, Banks applied his dedication and expertise to lead the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to become one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world.
Banks opened his home to anyone who wished to study his collection of plants, insects, shells, books and manuscripts. Now held at the Natural History Museum, Banks's unique collection is a valuable scientific resource still open to researchers.
ID:
13708
Credit:
NHM Images