died on the 5th of January
1807. He was buried at Amwell in Hertfordshire. Reed, who was a Fellow
of the Society of Antiquaries, collected books for upwards of forty
years, and Dibdin says that 'he would appear to have adopted the
cobbler's well-known example of applying one room to almost every
domestic purpose: for Reed made his library his parlour, kitchen, and
hall.' His extensive collection of books, which was rich in works
relating to the English drama and poetry, was sold by King and Lochee,
38 King Street, Covent Garden, on Monday, November 2nd, 1807, and
thirty-eight following days. The sale consisted of eight thousand nine
hundred and fifty-seven lots, including prints and a few miscellaneous
articles, and realised four thousand three hundred and eighty-six
pounds, nineteen shillings and sixpence. A copy of the catalogue, with
the prices added in manuscript, is preserved in the Library of King
George III. in the British Museum.

SIR JOSEPH BANKS, BART., 1744-1820

The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., to whom the British Museum, in
addition to other bequests, is indebted for one of the finest libraries
of books on natural history ever collected, was born in Argyle Street,
London, on the 13th of February 1744. He was the only son of William
Banks, of Revesby Abbey, Lincolnshire, by his wife Sarah, daughter of
William Bate. Banks was first educated at Harrow and Eton, and proceeded
afterwards to Christ Church, Oxford, which college he entered as a
gentleman-commoner in 1760. In 1761 his father died, leaving him a large
estate. He left the University in 1763, after having taken an honorary
degree, and in 1766 he set out on a scientific voyage to Newfoundland
with his friend Lieutenant Phipps, afterwards Lord Mulgrave, and brought
back a large collection of plants and insects. In 1768 he accompanied
Captain Cook's expedition round the world in _The Endeavour_, a vessel
which he equipped at his own expense, taking with him his friend and
librarian Dr. Solander, two draughtsmen, and several servants. This
voyage, which was attended by many dangers and privations, occupied
nearly three years, and the specimens which the enterprising collectors
brought home with them excited very great and general interest. Banks
was anxious to join Captain Cook's second expedition, but owing to some
difficulties respecting the fittings of the ship in which he was to have
sailed he relinquished his purpose, and in 1772 paid