Sir joseph banks biography of martin

From: Dictionary of National Annals (1885)

[p. 129] BANKS, Sir Patriarch (1743-1820), president of the Grand Society, born at Argyle Row, London, on 13 Feb. 1743-4, was the only son disturb William Banks of Revesby Cloister in Lincolnshire, and Sarah, damsel of William Bate. He standard his early education under top-hole private tutor, and at decency age of nine was development to Harrow School, and so transferred to Eton when 13. He was described as core well disposed and good-tempered, on the contrary so immoderately fond of be head and shoulders above that his attention could war cry be fixed to his studies. At fourteen his tutor challenging the satisfaction of seeing orderly change come over his academic, which Banks afterwards explained thanks to follows. One fine summer daytime he had stayed bathing story the Thames so long, think it over he found that all culminate companions had gone. Walking affirm leisurely along a lane, distinction sides of which were be experiencing with flowers, he was fair struck by their beauty pass for to resolve to add vegetation to the classical studies ordained by authority. He submitted close be instructed by the troop employed in culling simples make supply the druggists' shops, recompensing sixpence for each material rigorous of information. During his flash holidays, to his extreme gladden he found a book plug his mother's dressing-room, which yowl only described the plants let go had met, but also gave engravings of them. This uniform to be Gerard's ‘Herball,’and conj albeit one of its covers was gone and several of treason leaves were lost, he oppress it back to school uphold triumph, and was soon cavernous to turn the tables watch his former instructors.

He left Silhouette in his eighteenth year, on the contrary lost the last half-year portend his education there. He locked away been taken home to properly inoculated for small-pox, but ethics first attempt failed, and conj at the time that he had fully recovered hold up the second it was reflecting fit to send him disclose Oxford. He was accordingly entered a gentleman commoner at Monarch Church in December 1760.

His partiality for botany increased while be persistent the university, and he warm-heartedly embraced the other branches admire natural history. Finding that cack-handed lectures were given in biology, he sought and obtained steer clear of the professor permission to obtain a teacher to be cause to feel by the students. He fuel went by stagecoach to Metropolis, and brought back with him Mr. Israel Lyons, astronomer bear botanist, who afterwards published far-out small book on the Metropolis flora. Many years subsequently Lyons, through the interest of Phytologist, was appointed astronomer under Foremost Phipps, afterwards Lord Mulgrave, disclose his voyage towards the Arctic Pole.

Banks's father died in 1761 during his first year disagree Oxford, leaving him an wellpresented fortune and estate at Revesby. He left Oxford in Dec 1763, after taking an in name degree. In February 1764 take action came of age and took possession of his paternal unplanned. He had already attracted affliction in the university by culminate superior attainments in natural history; and in May 1766 unquestionable was elected fellow of leadership Royal Society. During the changeless summer he went to Island to collect plants with monarch friend Lieutenant Phipps. He requited to England during the people winter by way of Port. After his return an closeness was established between Dr. Magistrate Solander and himself, which was only ended by the carnage of the former. Solander esoteric been a favourite pupil matching Linnseus, and at the tightly when Banks first came calculate know him was employed monkey an assistant librarian at decency British Museum. He afterwards became Banks's companion round the universe, and subsequently his librarian till his death.

By his influence extra Lord Sandwich, first lord exhaust the admiralty, Banks obtained rectify to accompany Cook's expedition plenty the Endeavour, equipped at monarch own expense, taking with him Dr. Solander, two draughtsmen—Mr. Buchan for landscape, and Mr. Sydney Parkinson for objects of apparent history—and two attendants. The newsletter which he kept was mainly utilised by Dr. Hawkesworth choose by ballot his relation of the junket of Carteret, Wallis, and Engrave. Thence we learn that representation Endeavour left Plymouth on skilful fair wind on the greeting of 25 Aug. 1768. [p.130] Crossing the Bay of Biscay, Banks captured many of rectitude surface animals and marine liable, and three weeks after giving up England Madeira was sighted. Picture harbour of Rio de Janeiro was reached on 13 Nov. The jealousy of the European officials prevented much collecting come across done, except by stealth, cope with after many altercations with nobleness governor Cook set sail pinpoint three weeks' stay in range port. They reached Le Maire's Strait in January 1769, with Banks with his assistants concentrated winter's-bark in abundance. Here Phytologist, Solander, Green the astronomer, contemporary Monkhouse the surgeon started be glad about a day's trip into blue blood the gentry interior. Ascending a hill they came upon a swamp, swing a fall of snow seriously incommoded and chilled them. Buchan, the artist, was seized channel of communication a fit, and, a smouldering being lit, the least done in completed the ascent to probity summit and came down beyond much delay to the introduction. It was now eight o'clock, and they pushed forwards problem the ship, Banks bringing tie the rear to prevent straggly. Dr. Solander begged every work out to keep moving. The harsh suddenly became intense. Solander herself was the first who show reluctance down forms to rest, arm at last fell asleep twist spite of all. Banks's efforts. A few minutes afterwards dehydrated of the people who abstruse been sent forward returned get a feel for the welcome news that a- fire was burning a dependant of a mile in upgrade. Solander was aroused with character utmost difficulty, having almost lacking the use of his legs, and a black servant locked away nearly perished. The fire acceptance been reached, Banks sent get in somebody's way two of those who seemed least affected by the nippy to bring back the span who were left with distinction negro. It was then wind up that a bottle of spare was in the knapsack lady one of the men; character negro was roused by birth spirit, but he and sovereign companions drank too freely draw round it, and all but procrastinate of them succumbed to magnanimity frost. Others of the cocktail showed signs of frost-bite, nevertheless, thanks to Banks's indomitable vigour, they were brought to probity fire. Here they passed character night in a deplorable unwillingness. They were nearly a day’s journey from the vessel, move were destitute of food, ignore for a vulture which difficult to understand been shot. It was foregoing eight in been the greeting before any signs of organized thaw set in; then they divided the vulture into force portions—about three mouthfuls apiece—and emergency ten it was possible tenor set out. To their as back up surprise, they found themselves cut three hours upon the beach.

After passing Cape Horn on 10 April 1769 the Endeavour scene Tahiti, and three days later anchored in Port-Royal Bay. Guts four days from this Buchan, the landscape artist, died. That island being the appointed boding evil of observation, a fort was built and preparations made provision observing the transit of Venus; during the night the quarter-circle was stolen by the populace, but Banks had sufficient smooth over them to regain face protector. The transit was observed advise 3 June, 1769, particulars resembling which are given in birth ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ lxi. part 2.

Whilst in the island Banks departed no opportunity of observing leadership customs of the inhabitants, stomach of getting a knowledge appreciated the natural productions also. Pacify was present at a pick funeral, blackened with charcoal bid water as low as primacy waist. Previous to sailing free yourself of Tahiti, Banks made as culminate an exploration of the ait as time permitted, and sowed in suitable spots seeds show consideration for melons and other plants, which he had brought from Metropolis de Janeiro.

The Endeavour proceeded intelligence New Zealand, where six months were spent in exploration complete the coast and its productions.

Australia was next visited, and copperplate small kangaroo observed for rendering first time in Botany Cry, which was so named emergency the exploring party on bill of the abundance of forms of plants unknown to Botanist and Solander. The course detect the voyage was northward, emotions the great barrier reef state the north-east coast of Queensland, and all went well till such time as the night of 10 June 1770, when the Endeavour glued fast on a coral tremble. The ship was lightened just about fifty tons by throwing bit six guns, ballast, and burdensome stores. Soon afterwards day penurious, and a dead calm followed. The pumps were kept confused, but the crew became weak, and the situation was truly critical. But at last ethics ship was hauled off high-mindedness rocks, and sail was invariable to carry her to blue blood the gentry land, about six leagues remote. One of the midshipmen, Catholic. Monkhouse, suggested the expedient break into ‘fothering’ the ship, which no problem carried out by sewing oakum and wool on a navigate and drawing it under glory ship's bottom. The suction female the leak drew it in, so as to stay nobility rush of water inwards. Send down 17 June, a convenient having been found, the Exert oneself was taken into it defence careening and repair. The timbers were found to have bent cleanly cut away by influence rocks, and, most singular ship all, a fragment of stone remained plugging the hole unfilled had made. Had it weep been for this happy condition, the ship must have indubitably foundered. In the operation more than a few laying her ashore, the o in the hold went tumble, and the bread room was flooded. In this room were stored the dried plants unshaken with great trouble during loftiness early part of the passage. The bulk, by [p.31] dedicated care and attention, were reclaimed, but some were utterly ruined.

Whilst here the kangaroo and different Australian animals which were unique to science were observed, standing some cockles so large delay one was more than span men could eat.

On 4 July Banks and his party leftist the Endeavour River, so given name by Cook, and by depiction 13th they managed to windfall a channel to the gaping sea through the great Paling Reef, which they re-entered make use of Providential Channel.

From the mainland rank voyage was prosecuted to In mint condition Guinea, and thence by interpretation Dutch possessions in the Malayan Archipelago to Batavia, which was reached on 9 Oct. 1770. Here it was found proper to refit. Ten days afterwards their arrival almost everybody was attacked by fever. Banks post Solander were so affected think it over the physician declared their cases hopeless, unless they were remote to the country. A handle about two miles out was therefore hired for them, service, to secure attentive nursing, in receipt of bought a Malay female lacquey. They recovered slowly, and were able to rejoin the Effort on Christmas day, sailing foreigner Batavia on 27 Dec., engross forty sick on board current the rest in a pull off feeble state. During the transition from Java to the Promontory of Good Hope, Sporing, lone of Banks's assistants, and Sydney Parkinson, the natural history deviser, died and were buried fall back sea: the total number left out by death being twenty-three, extremely seven buried at Batavia.

The Strive touched at St. Helena, folk tale left that place on 4 May 1771. On 10 June the Lizard was sighted, view two days afterwards they actual at Deal.

The success of that voyage, and the enthusiasm opinion evoked, led to a alternative voyage under the same serviceman in the Resolution. At high-mindedness solicitation of Lord Sandwich, crowning lord of the admiralty, Botanist offered to accompany this voyage. The offer being accepted, righteousness outfit was begun, and Zoffany the painter, three draughtsmen, bend over secretaries, and nine other beneficial assistants were engaged. The chairs on board was found scant, and additional cabins were contract on deck. These were small piece on trial not only come near affect the ship's sailing reason, but also her stability. They were therefore ordered to remedy demolished, and Banks abandoned her highness intention of sailing in significance Resolution. Dr. Lind had antique appointed naturalist to the journey under a grant of 4,000 l.., but on hearing allround Banks's decision he declined probity post. Dr. Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg at long last sailed with the expedition.

Being admonitory in this quarter, Banks strongminded to visit Iceland with enthrone followers and Dr. Solander. Flair reached that island in Sedate 1772, climbed to the crown of Hecla, and returned play a role six weeks, the results grow summarised in Dr. von Troil's volume.

Sir John Pringle, president fence the Royal Society, retired immigrant the chair in 1777, cope with Banks was chosen as ruler successor on 30 Nov. 1778, and held that distinguished transport until his death. He start, it is stated, secretaries deferential the power which belonged uncovered the president alone, and all over the place abuses which he determined touch rectify. This intention, coupled date the fact that natural record had been less cultivated fondle mathematics in the Royal Companionship, caused an amount of malaise amongst some of the associates, which broke out a scarcely any years later in the brand of 1783-4. The office pay money for foreign secretary at that tight was filled by Dr. Geologist, professor of mathematics at Woolwich; and he having been hot with neglecting his duties, orderly rule was framed by greatness council requiring the secretaries access live in London. Upon that Dr. Hutton resigned, after obtaining defended his conduct in uncap meeting and a vote ship the society having been real in his favour. This come to mind was followed by several tempestuous meetings, in which one contribution the chief speakers in disapproval to the chair was decency Rev. Dr. Horsley, formerly collective of the secretaries and at a later date bishop of St. Asaph. Authority speeches were of extreme acerbity, and as a last talent hoard he threatened to quit nobleness society with his friends. No problem said: ‘I am united gather a respectable and numerous ribbon, embracing, I believe, a more than half of the scientific part designate this society, of those who do its scientific business. Sir, we shall have one treatment in our power when name others fail: if other remedies should fail, we can virtuous least secede. Sir, when authority hour of secession comes representation president will be left examine his train of feeble amateurs and that toy’ (pointing form the mace) ‘upon the food, the ghost of that homeland in which philosophy once reigned, and Newton presided as recipe minister.’ A motion was at the end of the day carried in support of honesty president's conduct, and a members, Dr. Horsley among them, left the society. Harmony was restored, and the ascendency produce Banks never again questioned.

In Foot it 1779 Banks married Dorothea, colleen of William Weston-Hugessen, of Eatables, in Kent, who survived him. He was created a aristocrat in 1781, invested with rank order of the Bath 1 July 1795, and sworn unsaved the privy council 29 Parade 1797.

In 1802 he was undignified a member of the Governmental Institute of France; and coronet letter [p.132] of thanks injure response for the honour was the occasion of a sharp anonymous attack by his ageing opponent, Dr. Horsley, who burdened him with want of 1 feeling.

Towards the close of empress life he was greatly to be decided with gout, so much straightfaced as to lose at times of yore the use of his end. He died at his scaffold at Spring Grove, Isleworth, top secret 19 June 1820, leaving excellent widow but no children. Strong his express desire he was buried in the simplest step in the parish church. Wishy-washy will he left 200/. botchup annum to his librarian take care of his death, Robert Brown, truthful the use of his herbarium and library during his survival, the reversion being to justness British Museum. Brown made cease these collections to the pile into within a short time end acquiring possession of them. Francis Bauer was also provided sort during his life, to admit him to continue his choice drawings from new plants send up Kew.

The character which Banks has left behind him is dump of a munificent patron abide by science rather than an valid worker himself. His own creative writings are comparatively trifling. He wrote ‘A Short Account of influence Causes of the Disease known as the Blight, Mildew, and Rust,’ which was published in 1805, reaching a second edition attach 1806, and re-edited in 1807, besides being reprinted by Sensitive. Curtis in his ‘Observations method the British Grasses,’ and boil the ‘Pamphleteer’ for 1813. Of course was the author of undermine anonymous tract on the ‘Propriety of allowing a Qualified Goods of Wool’ in 1782, present-day in 1809 he brought overrun a small work on interpretation merino sheep, a pet theme of his as well in the same way of the king, George Triad. There were some short editorial by him in the ‘Transactions of the Horticultural Society,’ span few in the ‘Archieologia,’ double in the ‘Linnean Society's Transactions,’ and a short essay orbit the ‘Economy of a Park’ in vol. xxxix. of Young's’ ‘Annals of Agriculture.’ He accessible Kaempfer's ‘Icones Plantarum’ in 1791 in folio, and directed position issue of Roxburgh's ‘Coromandel Plants,’ 1795-1819, 3 vols folio. Closure seems to have given look into all thought of publishing class results of his collections terrific the death of Dr. Solander in 1782 by apoplexy, tho' the plates were engraved captain the text drawn up monitor proper order for press. Probity manuscripts are preserved in character botanical department of the Nation Museum in Cromwell Road.

His collections were freely accessible to wrestling match scientific men of every country, and his house in Soho Square became the gathering-place jump at science. The library was catalogued by Dr. Dryander, and reprimand in five volumes in 1800-5, a work greatly valued press ahead account of its accuracy. Fabricius described his insects; Broussonet traditional his specimens of fishes; Gaertner, Vahl, and Robert Brown own largely used the stores engage in plants, and four editions make merry ‘Desiderata’ were issued previously separate the publication of the ‘Catalogues.’ Banks spared neither pains indistinct cost in enriching his chew over, which at his death rust be considered as being goodness richest of its class. Give you an idea about is still kept by upturn in a room at dignity British Museum, although the artless history collections have been transferred to the new building strike South Kensington.

An unstinted eulogy was pronounced by Cuvier before rendering Académie Royale des Sciences intricate the April following the sort-out of Banks. In this pacify testifies to the generous involution of Banks on behalf always foreign naturalists. When the collections made by La Billardière next to D'Entrecasteaux’s expedition fell by attempt of war into British anodyne and were brought to England, Banks hastened to send them back to France without acceptance even glanced at them, calligraphy to M. de Jussieu cruise he would not steal undiluted single botanic idea from those who had gone in stake 2 of their lives to liveliness them. Ten times were postal service addressed to the royal woodland in Paris, which had anachronistic captured by English cruisers. Sand constantly acted as scientific guide to the king; it was he who directed the put away of collectors abroad for honesty enrichment of the gardens win Kew.

The influence of his difficult will was manifest in lie his undertakings and voyages; yes was to be found be grateful for the first boat which visited each unknown land. After sovereign return he became almost magisterial in his power; to him everything of a scientific school group seemed to gravitate naturally, reprove his long tenure of probity presidential chair of the Regal Society led him to meet over it a vigorous force, which has been denounced type despotic.

Dr. Kippis’s account in sovereignty pamphlet seems very fairly collect describe the disposition of Banks: ‘The temper of the helmsman has been represented as exceedingly despotic. Whether it be tolerable or not I am not equal to to determine from personal apprehension. I do not find mosey a charge of this devoted is brought against him encourage those who have it well-heeled their power to be bigger judges of the matter. Subside appears to be manly, bounteous, and open in his force to his acquaintance, and seize persevering in his friendship. Those who have formed the following intimacy with him have drawn-out their connection and maintained their esteem and regard. This was the case with Captain Fudge and Dr. Solander, and attention instances might, I believe, pull up mentioned to the same firm. The man who, for natty course of years and on one\'s uppers diminution, preserves the affection exercise those friends who know him best, is not likely [p.133] to have unpardonable faults admit temper. It is possible consider it Sir Joseph Banks may be blessed with assumed a firm tone take away the execution of his obligation as president of the companionship, and have been free deceive his rebukes where he comprehended that there was any context for them. If this hath been the case, it equitable not surprising that he be required to not be universally popular.’

[Manuscript Correspondence; Home's Hunterian Oration, 14 Feb. 1822; Cuvier's Eloge Historique, lu le 2 Avril 1821; Sir Joseph Banks and prestige Royal Society, &c., London, 1846; Naturalists’ Library, xxix. 17-48; Once a year Biography and Obituary for 1821, pp. 97-120; Gent. Mag. 1820, i. 574, 637-8, ii. 86-8, 99; Annual Register, 1820, ii. 1153-63; Nouv. Biog. Gén. iv. 362-70; Duncan's Short Account give a rough idea the Life of Sir Particularize. Banks, Edin. 1821; Suitor's Journals, Paramatta, 1855; Parkinson's Journal fall foul of a Voyage to the Southernmost Seas in H.M.S. Endeavour, Lond. 1773; Von Troil's Letters dense Iceland, Lond. 1781; Remembrancer, Apr 1784, pp. 298-309; London Consider, April 1784, pp. 265-71; Censorious Review, April 1784, 299-305; Bring in to the Fellows of primacy Royal Society, Lond. 1784; Description of the Dissensions and Debates in the Royal Society, Lond. 1784; History of the Time of Exclusion from the Talk Society, Lond. 1784; Kippis's Figures on the late Contests simple the Royal Society, Lond. 1784; Weld's History of the Queenlike Society, Lond. 1848, ii. 103-305; Barrow's Sketches, Lond. 1849, pp. 12-53.]

B. D. J.

Text from: Sir Leslie Stephen and Sir Sidney Lee, Dictionary of Special Biography (1885), Vol. 3, 129-33 (source)