William Lawrence Banks
William Lawrence Banks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1938 Herefordshire, England |
| Died | 2022-06-14 |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant banker, horticulturist |
| Years active | 1961–1998 (banking), 1975–2022 (Royal Horticultural Society) |
| Known for | Vice president of the Royal Horticultural Society (1992–2022) |
| Notable work | Chair of the International Dendrology Society (1998–2003) |
William Lawrence Banks CBE DL VMH served as vice president of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1992 until 2022.
Early life and education
Born in 1938 to Richard Alford Banks and Lillian Jean (née Walker), he was raised at the family estate, Hergest Croft gardens located in Herefordshire. Following his studies at the University of Oxford, he fulfilled his National Service duties in the Navy.
Career
From 1961 to 1998, Banks pursued a career as a merchant banker. Simultaneously, he was actively involved with the Royal Horticultural Society beginning in 1975, serving as treasurer during the 1980s and later as vice president from 1992 until his passing in 2022. Additionally, he held the position of chair for the International Dendrology Society between 1998 and 2003.
Honours and awards
In recognition of his contributions, Banks was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1987. He was also appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1998 for his dedication to medical education and clinical research. Furthermore, he chaired the Council of the Royal Postgraduate Medical School.
Personal life
In 1963, Banks wed Elizabeth Christina Saunders, a landscape architect who previously served as president of the Royal Horticultural Society (1910–1913). The couple had two children. He died at his residence in Herefordshire on 14 June 2022.