Banks Street

Joseph Banks was born to wealthy parents in London, in 1743. He was educated at Harrow School, Eton College and Oxford University, although he never took a degree. As a youngster Banks developed a keen interest in nature and the world around him as he explored the countryside.

At the age of 21 Banks became the local squire after inheriting the estate of his late father. This gave Banks the means to indulge his interests in botany and make friends with some of the leading scientists of the day such Daniel Solander and Carl Linnaeus. In 1766 Joseph was elected to the prestigious Royal Society and embarked on a voyage of discovery to Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. His next, and biggest, voyage was with Captain Cook on the HMS Endeavour in 1768 – a three year expedition to chart and explore unknown South Pacific lands and oceans.

Captain Cook and Joseph arrived back in England in 1771, after a tense three year voyage. Joseph had made the first-ever collection of Australasian flora and in the process became a star. He was elected to President of the Royal Society in 1778 - a position of great stature that he held for 41 years. In his spare time Joseph was an adviser to both King George III regarding the botanical gardens at Kew and the new Australian Government on matters such as agriculture and trade. He was also a trustee of the British Museum for 42 years. Joseph was made a Baronet in 1781.

After suffering from gout and other health related matters, Joseph Banks died in 1820 leaving his wife and no children. The legacy of Banks lives on in Banksia plants, Banks Peninsula, Bankstown and even Joseph Banks chips.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.