redo

Note: This essay is much like the Thematic Essay I’m asking your to write. This work was composed by a student in my English 2020 (Science Literature) course. I’ve included some comments below to highlight the kind of features that make for an effective essay.

Student X

Dr. Tormey

English 2020

Thematic Essay II

Sir Joseph Banks

Sir Joseph Banks was a great botanist who was truly admired and dedicated to his discoveries. Banks was born to William and Sarah Banks in Westminster, England. He was the only son and had been well educated in his youth. Banks was schooled at home before attending Harrow in April 1752, later moving to Eton, and finally in 1760 he attended Christ Church, Oxford. Being that Banks received a good education and came from a wealthy family he was given the opportunity to meet people who would later give him a platform to share his work. Thus enabled in his scientific advantages by his fortunes, Banks made his name as a chronicler and interpreter of the exotic Otahati (Tahati) peoples and culture in the south pacific. Later, he became president of the Royal Society for 42 years of his life, where he made a few scientific contributions but never wrote the definitive chronicle of his south sea adventures. Even so, he is remembered probably more than anything for his advocacy for science, botany, and ethnology, contributions that were essential to the development of these sciences as we know them today (Lotha). Comment by Warren Tormey: Notice how the student has included a workable thesis to “frame” the discussion that follows. More development is probably possible, but we can consider this a pretty good opening paragraph.

It was during his attendance at Eton where Banks began taking an interest in Botany (Shortland and Yeo). This interest would take him literally around the world later in life. When looking to expand his knowledge in higher education Banks was unable to find a botanist at his university who would do lectures. He then searched for a botanist who would teach him. It was at this time when we begin to see the advantage Banks had within the world due to his financial standing (Lotha). Most people would not have the means to seek out education if it was not directly available, but Banks had access to mentors who could help with his botanical studies. The turning point within his career happened when he went on his first expedition with Captain James Cook around the South Pacific. When he returned home he experienced immediate fame as a chronicler of an exotic island culture. Today he is largely credited with beginning the steps that later resulted sciences of anthropology and ethnobotany. Comment by Warren Tormey: Here the student provides an important insight. Beyond his access to wealth, the essay also explains his emergence as a scientific figure.

Captain Cook brought Banks along on the expedition in order that the latter might serve as the botanist on the trip. Yet again we see that Banks having financial advantages uses it to expand what he is able to learn on the expedition. He had the financial means to hire people to help him collect and paint detailed illustrations of flowers, plants, and people that were discovered throughout different regions on the trip (Banks and Chambers). In the Australian Dictionary of Biography, L.A. Gilbert says this of Banks’ crew hired for the expedition, “Banks ensured that his party was well equipped for collecting, studying, and preserving natural history specimens. Solander asserted that Banks’ contribution to the expedition would amount to £10,000” (Gilbert). According to an article written in BBC History, Sydney Parkinson completed 264 drawings of 900, while Alexander Buchan and Herman Sporing made huge illustrative contributions as well (Cafferty). The extensive work done on these expeditions would not have been possible for Banks to accomplish alone and thus required the hiring of gifted artists and scientists.

With the help of the previously mentioned men along with Daniel Solander over 3,000 plant specimens were collected on the three year voyage. Just prior to their voyage, Carl Linnaeus had created a method for plant classification which Banks and Solander used to identify and reexamine new and recognizable plant life. When we observe what Banks contributed to science, it becomes apparent that he is not as influential as other scientists within the Royal Society such as Francis Bacon or Robert Hooke. Even so, he did have the means to do a lot financially and because of his status within the Royal Society the botanical work done was able to get a lot of exposure. Though technically a scientist, Banks’ standing as a collector and wealthy advocate enabled his true contributions to the growing science of botany. His work contributed to our understanding of diverse plant species and social customs, and our having records of the numerous plant species found all over the world, which opened up access to discovering medicines and environmental issues and cultures. Artists and chroniclers in his hire left records of his discoveries, which exist today as beautiful illustrations. More importantly, he established that by meeting, recording, and interacting with a native culture with respect and curiosity, a record of “first contact” that culture would survive as a model for subsequent explorations. With Banks’ time, resources and dedication he contributed largely to laying the ground work of identifying hundreds of botanical species, and opened up an era of exploration that allowed for the discovery of new and diverse cultures. Comment by Warren Tormey: The essay represents some solid work overall, which supplies needed insight on Banks’ true contributions to botany. Some additional development would be welcome, as would some additional quotes from the resources the student has accessed. but on the whole the student introduce a clear context for understanding Banks’ impact. On that basis, it was graded in the “A-/B+” territory.

Work Cited Comment by Warren Tormey: Very important point: don’t’ forget the Works Cited page in proper MLA format, which the student has largely observed here. Although the student is required only to include two outside sources, here we see five. It is certainly permissible to include more information as needed. You might notice that the student could have included more quotes and discussion from these sources, but it is evident that each is represented within the discussion.

L. A. Gilbert, 'Banks, Sir Joseph (1743–1820)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/banks-sir-joseph-1737/text1917, published first in hardcopy 1966, accessed online 29 November 2017.

Lotha, Gloria. “Sir Joseph Banks.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 16 Mar. 2017, www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Banks.

Banks, Joseph, and Neil Chambers. The Letters of Sir Joseph Banks: a Selection, 1768-1820. Imperial College Press, 2000.

Cafferty, Steve. “History - British History in Depth: Endeavour's Scientific Impact (1768 - 1771).” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/endeavour_voyage_01.shtml.

Shortland, Michael, and Richard R. Yeo. Telling Lives in Science: Essays on Scientific Biography. Cambridge University Press, 2008.