Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Banks, Benjamin
BANKS, BENJAMIN (1750–1795), a violin-maker, was one of the most prominent among the English followers of Amati. He began as a pupil of Peter Walmsley, of the ‘Golden Harp’ in Piccadilly, the great imitator of Stainer violins. Banks, following Daniel Parker, discarded the Stainer traditions, and copied the instruments of Nicholas Amati. His violas and violoncellos are excellent, but his violins are not so good. At an early period of his life he established himself at Salisbury. His business there was carried on after his death by his two sons, James and Henry, who subsequently migrated to Liverpool.
[Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, ii. 164 b.]