Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks, 1833
Scope and Contents
A print of an engraving by C.E. Wagstaff 'from a picture by T. Phillips in the possession of the Royal Society', published by Charles Knight, London. A note in pencil on the reverse records that the print was 'issued at London 1833'.
Dates
- Creation: 1833
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
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Biographical / Historical
Charles Edward Wagstaff (1808-1850) served his apprenticeship as an engraver in London before enjoying a successful career engraving portraits for prominent figures such as Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington. His engraving of Sir Joseph Banks was made from a painting of 1810 by Sir Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), portrait painter, a Member of the Royal Academy, who painted many of the important figures of his day. The engraving was published by Charles Knight (1791-1873). Sir Joseph Banks, Baronet (1743-1820), was born at Argyle Street, London, on 13 February 1743. He was educated by a private tutor before attending Harrow School and Eton. He entered Christ Church, Oxford, in 1760, where he pursued an interest in botany. 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.
Extent
1 photographic print(s) (1 print) : art work
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
A note on the back of the print indicates that it was bought in Sydney and given to the Royal Colonial Institute in 1913.
General
This collection level description was created by RAS. The biographical history was compiled with reference to the entry on Sir Joseph Banks in Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee, eds, 'Dictionary of national biography', vol. I (London, 1908), pp. 1049-1053.
Originator(s)
Wagstaff, Charles Edward, 1808-1850, engraver
Finding aid date
2004-06-18 16:01:27+00:00
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom
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