Background
Banks was born the son of Caleb Bankes (died 1669) of Maidstone, Kent, gent, and Martha Dann.
Banks was born the son of Caleb Bankes (died 1669) of Maidstone, Kent, gent, and Martha Dann.
He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
About 1657, Banks married Elizabeth Dethick, daughter of Sir John Dethick. They had several children, including Caleb, Mary and Elizabeth. Banks was created a baronet by King Charles II in 1661.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1668.
He invested in the overseas trade with the East and with Africa and in 1677 was financially involved in an expedition to search for a North-east trade route. He was Governor of the East India Company in 1673-1674.
On Banks death in 1699 the baronetcy became extinct. He was survived by two married daughters (Mary, who had married John Savile and Elizabeth, who had married Heneage Finch) who were co-heiresses to his estate.
Royal Society; Cavalier Parliament. Habeas Corpus Parliament]
Banks was Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) several times. Foreign Maidstone 1654–1659, for Winchelsea 1678, for Rochester 1679–1690, for Queenborough 1690–1695 and again for Maidstone 1695–1698.