The Three Worlds of Joseph Banks

The book explores the fascinating life and work of Joseph Banks, an English entrepreneur, botanist, and patron of the natural sciences. His determination, drive, courage, and perseverance enabled him to rise to the ranks of the elite of his time. He became a successful and important businessman who used his influence and enormous wealth to support scientists, explorers, and plant collectors across the world. Among them were the internationally renowned botanical artists and documentarians, the Bauer brothers, natives of Valtice in Moravia. Ferdinand Bauer, together with the botanist Robert Brown, became one of the principal figures of the exploratory expedition to Australia. With their contributions, Banks astonished Europe with exotic plants and animals brought back from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In the second half of the 18th century, his London residence became a center of both scientific and political life in Britain.