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Sir Joseph Banks -Handwritten journals of a voyage to Newfoundland and Labrador, and a visit to Lisbon

These two volumes were handwritten by the young, and later distinguished botanist, Joseph Banks on his first "expedition" between April and November 1766. The first records his journey to Newfoundland and Labrador on HMS Niger. This was his first visit to a foreign country and his first experience of ocean sailing. The second records his stay of six weeks in Lisbon on the way home.

These two manuscript books of Sir Joseph Banks' in his own handwriting provide an account of his voyage to Newfoundland and Labrador then concluding in Lisbon, commencing 7 April 1766 and ending on 17 November 1766. Both journals are in small quarto.

The first journal, describing the voyage to Newfoundland and Labrador, (both British possessions) was written while Banks was on the HM Niger whose mission was to keep order on the rich cod fishing grounds where several nations jostled for their share of the catch. Landing initially at St Johns, Newfoundland Banks wasted no time in collecting specimens of plants and animals and getting to know something of the indigenous population. Banks then sailed on to Chateau Bay, Labrador where he continued exploring and collecting. The Niger, with Banks on board, sailed from St Johns on 28th October 1766 and arrived in Lisbon 17th November 1766.

At the same time that Banks was at St Johns, James Cook was in the area as master in command of HM Brig Grenville surveying the coasts of Greenland and Labrador. It is likely that the two met, and this may have been the start of the relationship which was to continue several years later when they sailed around the world together on HM Bark Endeavour and charted the east coast of Australia.

The second journal, Visit to Lisbon, records Banks' 6 weeks stay in Lisbon on the return journey to London. Here again he was able to collect and preserve botanical specimens. He also became well known in social circles and, cutting a somewhat dashing figure, was apparently very popular with the ladies. Banks also made contact with local naturalists and was admitted to the local Natural History Society.

Banks Journal

RGSSA MSS 2,3a  The Society has a facsimile in the Library display case.

Born in 1743, into a very wealthy family and having the run of the 400-acre (@160ha) family estate of Revesby, Banks developed a keen interest in the natural world from an early age. He was sent to Harrow aged nine but was not a good student and after 4 years "he still knew no Greek and little Latin, and his spelling, punctuation and use of capital letters was rudimentary". He was then moved to Eton but still had little interest in his studies preferring to roam the countryside collecting and preserving plant specimens and beginning to teach himself botany.

Banks entered Oxford University just before his eighteenth birthday. His wealth meant he was able to lead a free and easy life, with few cares for his studies. He was scorned by his fellow students because of his lack of knowledge of Greek but was determined to pursue his love of botany. As Oxford did not have a botany teacher of note Banks paid for a prodigy, Israel Lyons, to come from Cambridge University to give a series of lectures on botany which were attended by about 60 students.

After leaving Oxford (without a degree) Banks moved to London. Being extremely wealthy, good looking, and personable he quickly became one of London's most eligible bachelors. But his great interest was botany. He moved in influential circles and was able to establish himself in botany and in February 1766 he was elected fellow of the Society of Antiquities. On 1st May 1766 he was elected fellow of the Royal Society, England’s elite scientific association.

When Banks heard that the HMS Niger - under Sir Thomas Adams - was to sail for Canada in April 1766 he used his influential friend The Earl of Sandwich who was "between sessions as First Lord of the Admiralty " to gain a berth on this naval vessel. Banks took with him equipment for making botanical and zoological collections including plant presses, fishing nets, butterfly nets, and spirits for preserving specimens.

On his return to London from his voyage on the Niger, Banks' reputation as an intrepid adventurer and serious botanist was so well established that he gained not only a place for himself, but also for his large entourage of artists and scientists, on HM Bark Endeavour sailing with Lieutenant James Cook on a voyage around the world. Setting sail from Plymouth on 25th August 1768 the goal was to observe the transit of Venus in Tahiti and also to expand the limits of the British Empire by sailing westwards in the hope of finding the great southern land. This they sighted on 19th April 1770 - the east coast of what was then called New Holland, now Australia.

Knighted in 1781, Sir Joseph Banks was the doyen of British science for many years and president of the Royal Society from 1778-1820.

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