Joseph Banks was an English naturalist and botanist born in 1743. He is best known for his role as the official botanist on Captain James Cook's first voyage to the Pacific Ocean from 1768 to 1771. During this expedition, Banks collected thousands of plant specimens, many of which were previously unknown to Europe. After returning to England, Banks became a prominent figure in the scientific community. He was elected president of the Royal Society in 1778 and held the position for over 40 years. His work significantly advanced the study of botany and contributed to the understanding of the natural world.