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2. Death, Burial, Character, Eulogy. 
Towards the close of his life he was greatly troubled with gout, so 
much so as to lose at times the use of his limbs. He died at his house 
at Spring Grove, Isleworth, on 19th June, 1820, leaving a widow, 
but no children. By his express desire, he was buried in the simplest 
manner in the parish church. (Daydon Jackson.) 
He was buried at Heston, Middlesex, in which parish Spring Grove is situated. 
The church has since been rebuilt, and now covers the spot where he was buried. 
A tablet with a simple inscription marks as nearly as possible the place where 
his body lies. By his will he expressly desires that his body be interred in the 
most private manner in the church or churchyard of the parish in which he should 
happen to die, and entreats his dear relatives to spare themselves the affliction 
of attending the ceremony, and earnestly requests that they will not erect any 
monument to his memory.* 
In his death, as during his long life, he endeavoured to avoid pub- 
licity and personal honours of every kind. 
Following is a sketch of his character : — 
The influence of his strong will was manifest in all his undertakings and 
voyages; he was to be found in the first boat which visited each unknown land. 
After his return he became almost autocratic in his power; to him everything 
of a scientific character seemed to gravitate naturally, and his long tenure of the 
presidential chair of the Royal Society led him to exercise over it a vigorous 
authority, which has been denounced as despotic. 
Dr. Kippis’s account in his pamphlet seems very fairly to describe the disposition 
of Banks; — “ The temper of the president has been represented as greatly despotic. 
Whether it be so or not, I am unable to determine from personal knowledge. I 
do not find that a charge of this kind is brought against him by those who have 
it in their power to be better judges of the matter. He appears to be manly, 
liberal, and open in his behaviour to his acquaintance, and very persevering in 
his friendship. Those who have formed the closest intimacy with him have 
continued their connection and maintained their esteem and regard. This was 
the case with Captain Cook and Dr. Solander. and other instances might, I believe, 
be mentioned to the same purpose. The man who, for a course of years, and without 
diminution, preserves the affection of those friends who know him best, is not 
likely to have unpardonable faults of temper. It is possible that Sir Joseph Banks 
may have assumed a firm tone in the execution of his duty as president of the 
society, and have been free in his rebukes where he apprehended that there was 
any occasion for them. If this had been the case, it is not surprising that he 
should not be universally popular.”! 
• Hooker’s edition " Banks' Journal,” xxxvi. 
t “ Diet. Xat. Biog.” 
