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Quiz about Sir Joseph Banks  The Unknown Celebrity
Quiz about Sir Joseph Banks  The Unknown Celebrity

Sir Joseph Banks - The Unknown Celebrity Quiz


Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820) was a giant in the world of science and a celebrity in his time, but his fame has not persisted like that of many of his contemporaries. This quiz looks at some of the major events in his life.

A multiple-choice quiz by doublemm. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
doublemm
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
360,414
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
316
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Sir Joseph Banks was born in London in 1743. Which of the following best describes the family he was born into? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. At the age of 23, Joseph Banks travelled to Newfoundland and Labrador to catalogue the flora and fauna. Which now extinct bird is Banks believed to have identified during his visit to these islands? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Joseph Banks is perhaps best known for his part in the first voyage of James Cook aboard the HMS Endeavour. What role did Banks perform in this voyage? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Of the first Cook voyage, it was the Pacific island of Tahiti that left the greatest impression on Sir Joseph Banks. Which of the following best describes Banks' behaviour on Tahiti? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Sir Joseph Banks' contributions to the first Cook voyage were invaluable. As well as the specimens he described, he also is credited by some with popularising a custom of the natives of Tahiti. Which custom was this? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Unlike many of his shipmates on board HMS Endeavour, Joseph Banks managed to survive the trip back to England. At which location did many of the crew become blighted by malaria and dysentery, effectively reducing the ship's numbers by half? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Joseph Banks, upon returning home to England, arrived with celebrity status. Another thing he arrived with received much attention from gentlemen and scientists, and even the king. What did Banks bring back after the first Cook voyage? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. After returning from the South Pacific, Joseph Banks continued his exploration, though in a less exotic ways. Which man, described as an "apostle of Linnaeus", accompanied Banks to the Isle of Wight, islands of Scotland, and to Iceland? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Joseph Banks' wealth and charm worked in his favour and in 1778 he was elected president of the Royal Society. Banks did a huge amount to promote scientific exploration and is seen as a major figure in the "Age of Wonder". What else is notable of Banks' presidency? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Joseph Banks has been criticised for getting to the position he did on his connections rather than his ability. However, probably his most important contribution was the promotion of international scientific endeavours. What made this particularly important? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Sir Joseph Banks was born in London in 1743. Which of the following best describes the family he was born into?

Answer: A wealthy English family

Banks came from a wealthy family and had a privileged upbringing. He was educated at Harrow and then Eton, before studying natural history at Oxford University. Whilst Joseph Banks was at Oxford, his father, William Banks, passed away and left his son considerable wealth.
2. At the age of 23, Joseph Banks travelled to Newfoundland and Labrador to catalogue the flora and fauna. Which now extinct bird is Banks believed to have identified during his visit to these islands?

Answer: The Great Auk

With his father's estate, Banks was able to fund his curiosity of the natural world. In 1766, the same year as his journey to Newfoundland and Labrador, he was elected to the Royal Society. Banks was a member of this prestigious establishment until his death in 1820.
3. Joseph Banks is perhaps best known for his part in the first voyage of James Cook aboard the HMS Endeavour. What role did Banks perform in this voyage?

Answer: Botanist

The first voyage of James Cook took place between 1768 and 1771. There were several reasons for this voyage, including the exploration of Australia (or the unknown southern land, as it was known), the discovery of wildlife, and the observation of the transit of Venus across the sun.

Much of the money for this voyage was contributed by Banks. In his role as botanist, Banks is credited with the description of acacia, eucalyptus and mimosa.
4. Of the first Cook voyage, it was the Pacific island of Tahiti that left the greatest impression on Sir Joseph Banks. Which of the following best describes Banks' behaviour on Tahiti?

Answer: He indulged in the culture and had several relationships with Tahitian women

Joseph Banks was a charming and handsome man. As he became enamoured of the island of Tahiti, and the women there were just as fond of him. It is said that during a dinner on their first night, he spent time talking to a pretty young girl instead of the local queen.

The offended queen made her importance clear to Banks and spent the night with him. However, as revenge for his behaviour earlier that night, she stole his clothes and left him to make his way back to his crew wearing very little.
5. Sir Joseph Banks' contributions to the first Cook voyage were invaluable. As well as the specimens he described, he also is credited by some with popularising a custom of the natives of Tahiti. Which custom was this?

Answer: Tattooing

Several men have been credited with introducing tattoos to Europe, and Joseph Banks is one such man. Banks described the skin markings of the Tahitians he spent much time with during the voyage, and the name tattoo actually comes from the Tahitian "tatau". Banks is also credited with being the first European to describe surfing, which he observed during this voyage.
6. Unlike many of his shipmates on board HMS Endeavour, Joseph Banks managed to survive the trip back to England. At which location did many of the crew become blighted by malaria and dysentery, effectively reducing the ship's numbers by half?

Answer: Batavia (Jakarta)

Cook decided to stop in Batavia (now Jakarta) after their exploration of the southern regions, but his crew fell victim to both malaria and dysentery. Despite this, the first Cook voyage is hailed for the fact that it effectively prevented scurvy by including citrus fruits and sauerkraut in the diet.
7. Joseph Banks, upon returning home to England, arrived with celebrity status. Another thing he arrived with received much attention from gentlemen and scientists, and even the king. What did Banks bring back after the first Cook voyage?

Answer: A Tahitian man named Omai

Omai (or Mai) met Joseph Banks when the Cook expedition landed on Tahiti and joined the expedition with the intention of becoming something of an exhibition in England. Omai became just that, meeting several men of wealth, including King George III, whom he supposedly greeted with "How do, King Tosh!". Omai had his portrait painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, depicting him in flowing white garments.
8. After returning from the South Pacific, Joseph Banks continued his exploration, though in a less exotic ways. Which man, described as an "apostle of Linnaeus", accompanied Banks to the Isle of Wight, islands of Scotland, and to Iceland?

Answer: Daniel Solander

Daniel Solander was a Swedish botanist and was also part of the first Cook expedition. He and Banks established a good friendship and continued to travel and catalogue botanical specimens in the British Isles upon their return. Banks had intended to join Cook on his second voyage aboard HMS Resolution, but the admiralty denied his permission to sail due to his demand for a 16-man (!) entourage.
9. Joseph Banks' wealth and charm worked in his favour and in 1778 he was elected president of the Royal Society. Banks did a huge amount to promote scientific exploration and is seen as a major figure in the "Age of Wonder". What else is notable of Banks' presidency?

Answer: He was the Royal Society's longest serving president

Joseph Banks forms part of a long list of famous scientists who have held this coveted position and will continue to hold the title of longest serving president of the Royal Society, since the presidency is now limited to 5 years. During his presidency, Banks married Dorothea Hugesson and moved to Soho Square, which became a hub of activity for his social and scientific interests.
10. Joseph Banks has been criticised for getting to the position he did on his connections rather than his ability. However, probably his most important contribution was the promotion of international scientific endeavours. What made this particularly important?

Answer: Banks' presidency coincided largely with the Napoleonic wars

At a time of war, Joseph Banks made a concerted effort to keep in contact with scientists from different countries. For example, Banks utilised the experienced astronomical eye of Charles Messier (a Frenchman) to assist the astronomical work in England, at the time largely being carried out by William Herschel.
Source: Author doublemm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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