Joseph Banks

British naturalist on Cook's first voyage who brought thousands of plant specimens to Europe and directed Kew Gardens for decades.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Collected some 30,000 plant specimens, including about 1,400 species new to science, aboard HMS Endeavour.
• Served as President of the Royal Society for 41 years, the longest tenure in its history.
• The Australian genus Banksia is named in his honor.

Specifications & Metrics

• ERA: 1743-1820