The heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds
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Horncastle Discovered The heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds |
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| Joseph Banks is remembered by most today as the botanist who sailed
around the the world on the Endeavour in the 3 year voyage with Captain
Cook. Born in London in 1743, Banks inherited the family estate at
Revesby aged only eighteen. The estate and considerable wealth gave him
the financial freedom to pursue his interests unencumbered by the need
to work. The famous voyage during which he collected plant sand wildlife
specimens was in fact partially funded by Banks who personally
contributed £10,000 towards the expedition. As well as his botanical
interests he was President of the Royal Society, a position he held for
forty-two years, a member of the Longitude Committee and assisted
in establishing the ordnance Survey. Though Joseph Banks maintained a house in London as well as Revesby Abbey he also had a substantial town house in Horncastle which still stands today. The house is marked with a blue plaque and stands in Banks Street (named after the man himself), today it is, appropriately enough, a bank ! Were all this not enough he was also instrumental in the fen drainage scheme which reclaimed a great deal of land for agricultural purposes. His support also made possible the building of the Horncastle Canal and one of the countries first public dispensaries in 1789. Another local landmark, Banovallum House, was built on land purchased form Banks and local legend has it that he personally planted the walnut tree that still stands there today. He was a hugely important and influential historical figure both locally, nationally and internationally. A mark of the man can be seen by his insistence that not statues or memorials be erected upon his death. © R.D. Collins 2004 |