Joseph Banks, English Naturalist

Sir Joseph Banks (February 24, 1743 - June 19, 1820) was an English naturalist and botanist. He took part in Cook's first great voyage (1768-71), visiting Brazil, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia. He held the position of President of the Royal Society for over 41 years. He advised King George III on the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and by sending botanists around the world to collect plants, he made Kew the world's leading botanical gardens. He is credited with introducing the eucalyptus, acacia, and the genus named after him, Banksia, to the Western world. In 1805 he lost the use of his legs and had to be wheeled to his meetings in a chair, but his mind remained as vigorous as ever. Engraving by Ridley, 1802, after John Russell, 1788

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

1743 Botanist Naturalist

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