Joseph Banks (1743-1820)

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of his death, this well-illustrated lecture reappraises the long career of Joseph Banks, the wealthy young gentleman who completed his University education by travelling around the world with James Cook.

Although heavily satirised, Banks became President of London’s Royal Society for 42 years and was a close confidant of George III. An administrator rather than an academic, he strongly influenced British scientific and imperial policy.

Dr Patricia Fara is an Emeritus Fellow of Clare College and former President of the British Society for the History of Science.