Edward Forster the Elder
Edward Forster the Elder | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | April 20, 1812 (aged 82) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, antiquarian |
| Known for | Prominent English banker and antiquarian; director of London Docks; governor of Royal Exchange and Russia Company |
Edward Forster the Elder (11 February 1730 – 20 April 1812) was a prominent English banker and antiquarian.
Life
Born on 11 February 1730, Forster was the son of Thomas Forster and sibling to the antiquarian Benjamin Forster. His education took place at Felsted School. He made a journey to the Netherlands to visit his relative, Benjamin Furly.
In 1764, Forster established his residence in Walthamstow. His professional affiliations included membership in the Mercers' Company, serving as a director of the London Docks, holding the position of governor at the Royal Exchange, and acting as a governor of the Russia Company for close to three decades. During his governance at the Russia Company, he organized annual dinners for ministers. When William Pitt sought advice regarding a compulsory paper currency, Forster was offered a baronetcy in recognition. He is also noted for introducing bearded wheat from Smyrna to England.
Forster passed away on 20 April 1812 at Hoe Street in Walthamstow. His literary preferences included authors such as Joseph Addison, Jonathan Swift, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Among his acquaintances were distinguished antiquaries including Thomas Gray, Richard Gough, and Michael Tyson. A letter penned by Forster in 1751 makes mention of Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard.
Portraits of Forster were created by notable artists: one by Martin Archer Shee for the Mercers' Company in 1812, and another by John Hoppner for the Royal Exchange; the latter portrait was engraved by Charles Turner.
Works
In 1774, Forster released a publication containing speeches made at the House of Commons concerning the linen and Russia trades. Additionally, he authored a poetry collection titled Occasional Amusements published in 1809.
Family
He married Susanna Furney, who hailed from a Somerset family. They had four children: three sons—Thomas Furly Forster (1761–1825), Benjamin Meggot Forster (1764–1829), and Edward Forster the Younger (1765–1849)—and a daughter, Susanna Dorothy (1757–1822), who wed Rev. J. Dixon, rector of Bincombe, Dorset. A compilation of letters by John Locke, which had been gifted to Forster by Benjamin Furly, was eventually published by his grandson, Thomas Ignatius Maria Forster.