Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820) 'the Juggernaut of British Science' as President of the Royal Society. Painted in 1810 by Sir Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), portrait painter, and a member of the Royal Academy. The African Adventure - A History of Africa's Explorers by Timothy Severin, page 105. Sir Joseph Banks was born at Argyle Street, London, on 13 February 1743. Banks was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766, and that year he travelled to Newfoundland to collect plants. During 1768-1771 he journeyed with Cook around the world in the 'Endeavour', making natural history collections, and in 1772 he visited Iceland. He was President of the Royal Society, 1778-1820, and was created baronet in 1781. Banks died on 19 June 1820 at Spring Grove, Isleworth. His collections and library passed to the British Museum after his death. *** Local Caption ***