Banks, Sir Joseph

Banks, Sir Joseph
born , Feb. 13, 1743, London, Eng.
died June 19, 1820, Isleworth, London

British explorer and naturalist.

After studying at Oxford, Banks inherited a fortune that allowed him to travel extensively, collecting plant and natural history specimens. He outfitted and accompanied James Cook's voyage around the world (1768–71). Particularly interested in economic plants and their introduction from one country to another, he was the first to suggest the identity of the wheat rust and barberry fungus (1805); he was also the first to show that marsupial mammals are more primitive than placental mammals. He served as president of the Royal Society from 1778 to 1820, and, as unofficial director of Kew Gardens, he transformed it into a major botanical institution. His herbarium, one of the most important in existence, and his library, a major collection of works on natural history, are now at the British Museum.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Banks,Sir Joseph — Banks (băngks), Sir Joseph. 1743 1820. British botanist noted for his circumnavigation of the globe (1768 1771) with James Cook, during which he discovered and cataloged many species of plant and animal life. * * * …   Universalium

  • BANKS, Sir Joseph (1744-1820) — president of the Royal Society, the father of Australia was born in Argyle street, London, on 4 January 1743 4. (Parish register quoted in Sir Joseph Banks and the Royal Society, p. 61, 13 February is usually given as the date of his birth.) He… …   Dictionary of Australian Biography

  • Banks , Sir Joseph — (1743–1820) British botanist The son of William Banks of Revesby Abbey, Lincolnshire, Joseph Banks inherited a large fortune when he came of age, and later used this money to finance his scientific expeditions. Born in London, he studied botany… …   Scientists

  • Banks, Sir Joseph, Baronet — ▪ British naturalist born , February 13, 1743, London, England died June 19, 1820, Isleworth, London  British explorer, naturalist, and long time president of the Royal Society, known for his promotion of science.       Banks was schooled at… …   Universalium

  • Banks, Sir Joseph — (13 feb. 1743, Londres, Inglaterra–19 jun. 1820, Isleworth, Londres). Explorador y naturalista británico. Después de realizar sus estudios en Oxford, heredó una fortuna que le permitió viajar extensamente recolectando especímenes de plantas y… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • BANKS, SIR JOSEPH —    a zealous naturalist, particularly in botany; a collector, in lands far and wide, of specimens in natural history; left his collection and a valuable library and herbarium to the British Museum; president of the Royal Society for 41 years… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Sir Joseph Banks — noun English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743 1820) • Syn: ↑Banks • Instance Hypernyms: ↑botanist, ↑phytologist, ↑plant scientist …   Useful english dictionary

  • Joseph Banks — Banks in jungen Jahren …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • The Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory — in Lincoln, UK is named after the British explorer and naturalist who, as long time president of the Royal Society, became known for his promotion of science.About The ConservatoryThe Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory is a tropical house themed with… …   Wikipedia

  • Banks — Banks, Tierra de * * * (as used in expressions) Banks, Ernie Ernest Banks Banks, isla Banks, península de Banks, Russell Banks, Sir Joseph Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2 conde de Mullis, Kary B(anks) Outer Banks …   Enciclopedia Universal

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