Banks, Sir

JOSEPH, F. R. 8., a distinguished cultivator of natural science, B. in London, 1743. In 1766 he made a scientific visit to Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1768, he accompanied Capt. Cook in his voyage round the world, and brought home large botanical collections. In 1772, he visited Iceland. In 1777, B. was elected President of the Royal Society, and, in 1802, a member of the French Institute. D. Aug. 19, 1820. His library and herbarium he bequeathed to the British Museum. Banks, NATHANIEL PRENTISS, an American statesman, B. at Boston, Jan. 20, 1816. In 1849 he was elected to the Ma achusetts House of Representatives, of which, in 1851, he became Speaker. In 1853 he was president of the convention appointed to revise the constitution of the State. In Dec., 1854, B. was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives at Washington, and, in 1857, becaine Governor of Ma achusetts. On the outbreak of the civil war, he was appointed to a command in the Union army with the rank of major-general, and stationed in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., from which, in Feb., 1862, he was expelled with severe lo by the Confederate General "Stonewall Jackson." On the 9th Aug., 1862, B., then subordinate to General Pope, fought and won the battle of Cedar Mountain. In Dec. of the same year he succeeded Butler at New Orleans, conducted several important operations in the Mi i ippi Valley, and captured Port Hudson, July 8, 1863. He was afterwards employed in Texas, and again in New Orleans. Returning North, B. was, in 1865, elected representative from Ma achusetts to the 39th Congre , and was re-elected in 1866, and in 1868. Died Sept. 1, 1894. Banks, a N.E. county of Georgia , with an estimated area of 280 sq. m. It is intersected by the sources of Broad River. Surface , uneven. Soil , tolerably fertile. Cap. Homer. Banks, in Minnesota , a post-village of Faribault co. Banks, in Pennsylvania , a township of Carbon co., 10 m. N.W. of Mauch Chunk.