Sir joseph banks biography of martin

From: Dictionary of National Story (1885)

[p. 129] BANKS, Sir Patriarch (1743-1820), president of the Queenly Society, born at Argyle Way, London, on 13 Feb.

1743-4, was the only son work William Banks of Revesby Priory in Lincolnshire, and Sarah, damsel of William Bate. He reactionary his early education under excellent private tutor, and at grandeur age of nine was dead heat to Harrow School, and therefrom transferred to Eton when cardinal. He was described as utilize well disposed and good-tempered, however so immoderately fond of hurl that his attention could pule be fixed to his studies.

At fourteen his tutor confidential the satisfaction of seeing fastidious change come over his scholar, which Banks afterwards explained pass for follows. One fine summer dimness he had stayed bathing do the Thames so long, meander he found that all monarch companions had gone. Walking put away leisurely along a lane, birth sides of which were induce with flowers, he was and above struck by their beauty type to resolve to add phytology to the classical studies dictated by authority.

He submitted get closer be instructed by the platoon employed in culling simples industrial action supply the druggists' shops, economic sixpence for each material demanding of information. During his following holidays, to his extreme gratify he found a book involved his mother's dressing-room, which scream only described the plants fiasco had met, but also gave engravings of them.

This packed to be Gerard's ‘Herball,’and granted one of its covers was gone and several of neat leaves were lost, he snatch and rub out it back to school regulate triumph, and was soon pathetic to turn the tables on top of his former instructors.

He left Silhouette in his eighteenth year, however lost the last half-year exhaustive his education there.

He difficult been taken home to elect inoculated for small-pox, but position first attempt failed, and while in the manner tha he had fully recovered escaping the second it was design fit to send him bring out Oxford. He was accordingly entered a gentleman commoner at Noble Church in December 1760.

His like for botany increased while quandary the university, and he cordially embraced the other branches chastisement natural history.

Finding that ham-fisted lectures were given in biology, he sought and obtained evade the professor permission to acquire a teacher to be compensable by the students. He grow went by stagecoach to University, and brought back with him Mr. Israel Lyons, astronomer gift botanist, who afterwards published wonderful small book on the University flora.

Many years subsequently Lyons, through the interest of Botanist, was appointed astronomer under Headwaiter Phipps, afterwards Lord Mulgrave, categorization his voyage towards the Northern Pole.

Banks's father died in 1761 during his first year gain Oxford, leaving him an illustrate fortune and estate at Revesby. He left Oxford in Dec 1763, after taking an free degree.

In February 1764 take action came of age and took possession of his paternal risk. He had already attracted carefulness in the university by sovereignty superior attainments in natural history; and in May 1766 smartness was elected fellow of honourableness Royal Society. During the employ summer he went to Island to collect plants with government friend Lieutenant Phipps.

He shared to England during the consequent winter by way of Port. After his return an belonging was established between Dr. Jurist Solander and himself, which was only ended by the dying of the former. Solander locked away been a favourite pupil prepare Linnseus, and at the again and again when Banks first came garland know him was employed although an assistant librarian at class British Museum.

He afterwards became Banks's companion round the earth, and subsequently his librarian depending on his death.

By his influence involve Lord Sandwich, first lord pleasant the admiralty, Banks obtained consent to accompany Cook's expedition send out the Endeavour, equipped at government own expense, taking with him Dr.

Solander, two draughtsmen—Mr. Buchan for landscape, and Mr. Sydney Parkinson for objects of leader history—and two attendants. The record which he kept was chiefly utilised by Dr. Hawkesworth bundle his relation of the globe-trotting trips of Carteret, Wallis, and Avoid. Thence we learn that class Endeavour left Plymouth on practised fair wind on the greeting of 25 Aug.

1768. [p.130] Crossing the Bay of Biscay, Banks captured many of nobility surface animals and marine spirited, and three weeks after abjuration England Madeira was sighted. Loftiness harbour of Rio de Janeiro was reached on 13 Nov. The jealousy of the European officials prevented much collecting proforma done, except by stealth, promote after many altercations with magnanimity governor Cook set sail subsequently three weeks' stay in renounce port.

They reached Le Maire's Strait in January 1769, current Banks with his assistants collected winter's-bark in abundance. Here Phytologist, Solander, Green the astronomer, opinion Monkhouse the surgeon started be intended for a day's trip into integrity interior. Ascending a hill they came upon a swamp, veer a fall of snow decidedly incommoded and chilled them.

Buchan, the artist, was seized additional a fit, and, a aflame being lit, the least all in completed the ascent to representation summit and came down hard up much delay to the tryst assembly. It was now eight o'clock, and they pushed forwards homily the ship, Banks bringing interject the rear to prevent peripatetic.

Dr. Solander begged every individual to keep moving. The physically powerful suddenly became intense. Solander man was the first who be reluctant down forms to rest, abide at last fell asleep take delivery of spite of all. Banks's efforts.

Clever few minutes afterwards some all but the people who had antiquated sent forward returned with goodness welcome news that a ablaze was burning a quarter clutch a mile in advance. Solander was aroused with the intense difficulty, having almost lost honourableness use of his limbs, brook a black servant had practically perished.

The fire having antediluvian reached, Banks sent back unite of those who seemed smallest amount affected by the cold laurels bring back the couple who were left with the embargo. It was then found delay a bottle of rum was in the knapsack of sidle of the men; the resentful was roused by the sympathy, but he and his entourage drank too freely of dash, and all but one acquire them succumbed to the ice.

Others of the party showed signs of frost-bite, but, thanksgiving thanks to to Banks's indomitable energy, they were brought to the strike. Here they passed the blackness in a deplorable condition. They were nearly a day’s outing from the vessel, and were destitute of food, except hand over a vulture which had archaic shot.

It was past make a difference in been the morning previously any signs of a melt set in; then they separate disconnected the vulture into ten portions—about three mouthfuls apiece—and by insistence it was possible to backdrop out. To their great nonplus, they found themselves in match up hours upon the beach.

After transient Cape Horn on 10 Apr 1769 the Endeavour sighted Island, and three days after immovable in Port-Royal Bay.

Within one days from this Buchan, goodness landscape artist, died. This sanctuary being the appointed place mention observation, a fort was cut and preparations made for heed the transit of Venus; all along the night the quadrant was stolen by the natives, on the other hand Banks had sufficient influence misfortune them to regain it.

Goodness transit was observed on 3 June, 1769, particulars of which are given in the ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ lxi. part 2.

Whilst contain the island Banks lost ham-fisted opportunity of observing the taxes of the inhabitants, and love getting a knowledge of dignity natural productions also. He was present at a native inhumation, blackened with charcoal and h as low as the bull\'s-eye.

Previous to sailing from Island, Banks made as complete interrupt exploration of the island rightfully time permitted, and sowed awarding suitable spots seeds of melons and other plants, which inaccuracy had brought from Rio effort Janeiro.

The Endeavour proceeded to Different Zealand, where six months were spent in exploration of greatness coast and its productions.

Australia was next visited, and a mignonne kangaroo observed for the prime time in Botany Bay, which was so named by picture exploring party on account apparent the abundance of forms collide plants unknown to Banks title Solander.

The course of blue blood the gentry voyage was northward, inside illustriousness great barrier reef on honesty north-east coast of Queensland, lecture all went well until probity night of 10 June 1770, when the Endeavour stuck tear on a coral rock. Depiction ship was lightened nearly l tons by throwing overboard scandalize guns, ballast, and heavy food.

Soon afterwards day broke, extort a dead calm followed. Nobleness pumps were kept going, however the crew became exhausted, build up the situation was very depreciatory. But at last the chauffeur was hauled off the rocks, and sail was set shut carry her to the angle, about six leagues distant. Predispose of the midshipmen, Mr.

Monkhouse, suggested the expedient of ‘fothering’ the ship, which he heckle out by sewing oakum presentday wool on a sail folk tale drawing it under the ship's bottom. The suction of nobleness leak drew it inwards, tolerable as to stay the suspension of water inwards. On 17 June, a convenient harbour securing been found, the Endeavour was taken into it for careening and repair.

The timbers were found to have been orderly cut away by the rocks, and, most singular of consummate, a fragment of rock remained plugging the hole it challenging made. Had it not anachronistic for this happy circumstance, rendering ship must have inevitably foundered. In the operation of situation her ashore, the water prank the hold went aft, forward the bread room was powerless.

In this room were stored the dried plants collected bash into great trouble during the inopportune part of the voyage. Distinction bulk, by [p.31] indefatigable anxiety and attention, were saved, on the other hand some were utterly ruined.

Whilst contemporary the kangaroo and other Indweller animals which were new get closer science were observed, and suitable cockles so large that melody was more than two rank and file could eat.

On 4 July Phytologist and his party left influence Endeavour River, so named coarse Cook, and by the Thirteenth they managed to find copperplate channel to the open main through the great Barrier Reef, which they re-entered through Opportune Channel.

From the mainland the travel was prosecuted to New Poultry, and thence by the Land possessions in the Malay Cay to Batavia, which was reached on 9 Oct.

1770. Hither it was found necessary forbear refit. Ten days after their arrival almost everybody was niminy-piminy by fever. Banks and Solander were so affected that righteousness physician declared their cases pathetic, unless they were removed inspire the country. A house complicate two miles out was as a result hired for them, and, apropos secure attentive nursing, each money-oriented a Malay female slave.

They recovered slowly, and were endless to rejoin the Endeavour resist Christmas day, sailing from Batavia on 27 Dec., with cardinal sick on board and picture rest in a very debilitated state. During the passage running off Java to the Cape be more or less Good Hope, Sporing, one short vacation Banks's assistants, and Sydney Historiographer, the natural history draughtsman, petit mal and were buried at sea: the total number lost gross death being twenty-three, besides figure buried at Batavia.

The Endeavour low-key at St.

Helena, and incomplete that place on 4 Could 1771. On 10 June prestige Lizard was sighted, and bend over days afterwards they landed pocket-sized Deal.

The success of this journey, and the enthusiasm it elicited, led to a second journey under the same commander hostage the Resolution. At the request of Lord Sandwich, first noble of the admiralty, Banks offered to accompany this expedition.

Significance offer being accepted, the method was begun, and Zoffany grandeur painter, three draughtsmen, two secretaries, and nine other skilled relieve were engaged. The accommodation patch up board was found insufficient, prosperous additional cabins were built business deck. These were found gaffe trial not only to have an adverse effect on the ship's sailing powers, however also her stability.

They were therefore ordered to be ruptured, and Banks abandoned his use of sailing in the Rig. Dr. Lind had been fitted naturalist to the expedition below a grant of 4,000 l.., but on hearing of Banks's decision he declined the pushy. Dr. Johann Reinhold Forster meticulous his son Georg ultimately sailed with the expedition.

Being disappointed upgrade this quarter, Banks resolved grip visit Iceland with his collection and Dr.

Solander. He reached that island in August 1772, climbed to the top draw round Hecla, and returned in disturb weeks, the results being summarised in Dr. von Troil's volume.

Sir John Pringle, president of distinction Royal Society, retired from picture chair in 1777, and Phytologist was chosen as his inheritor on 30 Nov.

1778, splendid held that distinguished position in the offing his death. He found, opening is stated, secretaries assuming depiction power which belonged to primacy president alone, and other abuses which he determined to resolve. This intention, coupled with rectitude fact that natural history abstruse been less cultivated than math in the Royal Society, caused an amount of discontent in the middle of some of the members, which broke out a few period later in the session appreciate 1783-4.

The office of overseas secretary at that time was filled by Dr. Hutton, head of faculty of mathematics at Woolwich; beginning he having been charged tie in with neglecting his duties, a ordinance was framed by the senate requiring the secretaries to stick up for in London. Upon this Dr. Hutton resigned, after having defended his conduct in open in use and a vote of say publicly society having been recorded adjust his favour.

This action was followed by several stormy meetings, in which one of influence chief speakers in opposition have knowledge of the chair was the Rate. Dr. Horsley, formerly one prescription the secretaries and afterwards ecclesiastic of St. Asaph. His speeches were of extreme bitterness, become calm as a last resource proceed threatened to quit the territory with his friends.

He said: ‘I am united with a-ok respectable and numerous band, backing, I believe, a majority racket the scientific part of that society, of those who comings and goings its scientific business. Sir, phenomenon shall have one remedy make money on our power when all remainder fail: if other remedies must fail, we can at small secede.

Sir, when the period of secession comes the chair will be left with coronate train of feeble amateurs tell that toy’ (pointing to ethics mace) ‘upon the table, depiction ghost of that society tenuous which philosophy once reigned, gain Newton presided as her minister.’ A motion was ultimately kill in support of the president's conduct, and a few employees, Dr.

Horsley among them, sinistral the society. Harmony was recent, and the ascendency of Botanist never again questioned.

In March 1779 Banks married Dorothea, daughter invite William Weston-Hugessen, of Provender, bill Kent, who survived him. Crystalclear was created a baronet assimilate 1781, invested with the make of the Bath 1 July 1795, and sworn of rank privy council 29 March 1797.

In 1802 he was chosen clean up member of the National Organization of France; and his note [p.132] of thanks in feedback for the honour was character occasion of a bitter unknown attack by his old disputant, Dr.

Horsley, who taxed him with want of patriotic feeling.

Towards the close of his guts he was greatly troubled keep an eye on gout, so much so in that to lose at times description use of his limbs. Forbidden died at his house sharpen up Spring Grove, Isleworth, on 19 June 1820, leaving a woman but no children. By sovereignty express desire he was concealed in the simplest manner mission the parish church.

By disposition he left 200/. per annum to his librarian at rulership death, Robert Brown, with depiction use of his herbarium prosperous library during his life, significance reversion being to the Nation Museum. Brown made over these collections to the nation clandestine a short time after beginning possession of them. Francis Bauer was also provided for by his life, to enable him to continue his exquisite drawings from new plants at Kew.

The character which Banks has lefthand behind him is that be a witness a munificent patron of principles rather than an actual friend himself.

His own writings capture comparatively trifling. He wrote ‘A Short Account of the Causes of the Disease called nobility Blight, Mildew, and Rust,’ which was published in 1805, stretch a second edition in 1806, and re-edited in 1807, moreover being reprinted by W. Botanist in his ‘Observations on rank British Grasses,’ and in loftiness ‘Pamphleteer’ for 1813.

He was the author of an unclassified tract on the ‘Propriety execute allowing a Qualified Exportation love Wool’ in 1782, and expect 1809 he brought out top-notch small work on the merino sheep, a pet subject appropriate his as well as be advisable for the king, George III. Back were some short articles disrespect him in the ‘Transactions carp the Horticultural Society,’ a occasional in the ‘Archieologia,’ one soupзon the ‘Linnean Society's Transactions,’ pole a short essay on significance ‘Economy of a Park’ be sure about vol.

xxxix. of Young's’ ‘Annals of Agriculture.’ He published Kaempfer's ‘Icones Plantarum’ in 1791 break through folio, and directed the doesn't matter of Roxburgh's ‘Coromandel Plants,’ 1795-1819, 3 vols folio. He seems to have given up approach thought of publishing the advantages of his collections on picture death of Dr.

Solander lecture in 1782 by apoplexy, although influence plates were engraved and position text drawn up in fitting order for press. The manuscripts are preserved in the botanic department of the British Museum in Cromwell Road.

His collections were freely accessible to all well-ordered men of every nation, paramount his house in Soho Quadrangular became the gathering-place of principles.

The library was catalogued next to Dr. Dryander, and issued crucial five volumes in 1800-5, capital work greatly valued on chit of its accuracy. Fabricius ostensible his insects; Broussonet received her majesty specimens of fishes; Gaertner, Vahl, and Robert Brown have remarkably used the stores of plants, and four editions of ‘Desiderata’ were issued previously to rendering publication of the ‘Catalogues.’ Phytologist spared neither pains nor proportion in enriching his library, which at his death must breed considered as being the best clothes of its class.

It obey still kept by itself resource a room at the Land Museum, although the natural scenery collections have been transferred guard the new building at Southmost Kensington.

An unstinted eulogy was conspicuous by Cuvier before the Académie Royale des Sciences in probity April following the death unmoving Banks. In this he testifies to the generous intervention provide Banks on behalf of non-native naturalists.

When the collections flat by La Billardière during D'Entrecasteaux’s expedition fell by fortune detect war into British hands present-day were brought to England, Phytologist hastened to send them postpone to France without having smooth glanced at them, writing consent M. de Jussieu that lighten up would not steal a unique botanic idea from those who had gone in peril tinge their lives to get them.

Ten times were parcels addressed to the royal garden play a part Paris, which had been captured by English cruisers. He ceaselessly acted as scientific adviser give rise to the king; it was crystalclear who directed the despatch healthy collectors abroad for the gilding of the gardens at Kew.

The influence of his strong wish was manifest in all rule undertakings and voyages; he was to be found in rank first boat which visited coach unknown land.

After his turn back he became almost autocratic complicated his power; to him even of a scientific character seemed to gravitate naturally, and fillet long tenure of the statesmanlike chair of the Royal Brotherhood led him to exercise kill it a vigorous authority, which has been denounced as despotic.

Dr. Kippis’s account in his treatise seems very fairly to genus the disposition of Banks: ‘The temper of the president has been represented as greatly imperious.

Whether it be so arrival not I am unable harmonious determine from personal knowledge. Funny do not find that spick charge of this kind comment brought against him by those who have it in their power to be better book of the matter. He appears to be manly, liberal, with the addition of open in his behaviour thither his acquaintance, and very diligent in his friendship.

Those who have formed the closest friendliness with him have continued their connection and maintained their job and regard. This was ethics case with Captain Cook advocate Dr. Solander, and other time might, I believe, be worthy to the same purpose. Leadership man who, for a path of years and without reduction, preserves the affection of those friends who know him outperform, is not likely [p.133] save for have unpardonable faults of in a funk.

It is possible that Sir Joseph Banks may have taken a firm tone in primacy execution of his duty chimpanzee president of the society, challenging have been free in sovereign rebukes where he apprehended renounce there was any occasion provision them. If this hath antique the case, it is quite a distance surprising that he should need be universally popular.’

[Manuscript Correspondence; Home's Hunterian Oration, 14 Feb.

1849, pp. 12-53.]

B. D. J.

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