Presentation by Mickey Benefiel.
Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), naturalist, explorer, patron of science, was President of the Royal Society for 41 years. When the Royal Society persuaded the Admiralty to send James Cook in command of an expedition to observe the transit of Venus, it urged that ‘Joseph Banks … a Gentleman of large fortune … well versed in natural history’ should be permitted to join the expedition ‘with his Suite’. Banks joined the ship with a staff of eight. Only four of this party survived the voyage. This presentation covers Banks early years of development, adventure and exploration. And what a life it was!