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Sir Joseph Banks letter

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0169
Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a letter by Sir Joseph Banks to an unnamed correspondent, sending thanks for four plates and a drawing, and then discussing eleven botanical specimens. There is also a reference to the Royal Society, of which Banks was President for forty-two years.

Dates

  • 1784

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Sir Joseph Banks Letter must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

Biographical / Historical

Sir Joseph Banks was a well-known British naturalist and botanist. He was born in London in 1743 to a wealthy family and attended Oxford University. During his career at Oxford, he inherited his father’s fortune and after graduation became a full-time botanist. In 1766, he traveled to Newfoundland and Labrador and collected plant and animal specimens. At this time he was also elected a fellow of the Royal Society. Banks joined Captain James Cook’s first great voyage to explore the South Pacific islands. Banks was elected President of the Royal Society in 1778, a position that he held for forty-two years. He was made a baronet in 1781, and today 75 species bear his name. As President of the Royal Society, he directed the course of British science until his death in 1820.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection contains a letter by Sir Joseph Banks to an unnamed correspondent, sending thanks for four plates and a drawing, and then discussing eleven botanical specimens. There is also a reference to the Royal Society, of which Banks was President for forty-two years.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Brick Row Book Shop in 1966.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Sir Joseph Banks letter, 1784
Status
Completed
Date
2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892