Sir Joseph Banks

Sir Joseph Banks was a prominent 18th-century British naturalist and explorer, best known for leading the first scientific expedition to Australia in 1770 aboard HMS Endeavour. He was instrumental in advancing botanical and scientific knowledge, collecting numerous plant and animal specimens. Banks also advised the British government on scientific matters and helped establish the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. His work significantly contributed to the fields of botany and exploration, shaping scientific understanding of new lands and species during that era.