Background
Bankes was the only surviving son of Henry Bankes, Esq., and the great-grandson of Sir John Bankes, chief justice of the common pleas in the time of Charles I. He was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1778, and Master of Arts
Career
In 1781. After leaving Cambridge he sat for the close borough of Corfe Castle from 1780 to 1826. In the latter year he was elected for the county of Dorset, and re-elected in the general election in the same year, but was rejected after a severe contest in 1830. In politics he was a conservative.
He gave a general support to Prime Minister Pitt, but preserved his independence.
He took an active but not a leading part in nearly every debate of his time, and closely attended to all parliamentary duties. He was a trustee of the British Museum, and acted as its organ in parliament.
Bankes died at Tregothnan, Cornwall, 17 December 1834, and was buried at Wimborne Minster.
Membership
1st United Kingdom Parliament. 2nd United Kingdom Parliament. 3rd United Kingdom Parliament.
4th United Kingdom Parliament.
5th United Kingdom Parliament. 6th United Kingdom Parliament.
7th United Kingdom Parliament. 8th United Kingdom Parliament.
15th Parliament of Great Britain.
16th Parliament of Great Britain. 17th Parliament of Great Britain. 18th Parliament of Great Britain.