«Science was his passion»: emotive code of memories about English botanist Joseph Banks (1743-1820)

Abstract

English botanist Joseph Banks, according to contemporaries' and successions' memoirs, had been distinguished by his temperament among other scientists. Original patterns led him gain recognition and pinnacle of academic career in Britain - the position of president of the Royal Society of London. The article submits the results of research of obituaries and memories, published in the 100-years death anniversary of J. Banks. The analysis of texts' emotive categories, describing Banks's character, shows that the special attention was paid to enthusiasm of scientist. Passion, inspiration, ardor, love and other subjective feelings, typical for Banks, met with approval and Banks became a role model in die end of 18th -beginning of 20th c. The case of Banks suggests such manifestation of subjectivity, blamed in the 17th -18th cc, in more late time emerge as one of the most important part of scientist' image. Outstanding personality of Banks, as the author's opinion, influenced on making an image of scientist in the English science. © 2023 Aquilo. All rights reserved.