Beilby Porteus

Edward Forster (1769–1828) was an English cleric, writer, and publisher who engaged in various literary and publishing ventures. Born in Colchester, he studied at Norwich Grammar School and later matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford. After initially pursuing legal studies at Lincoln's Inn, he decided to enter the clergy and was ordained a priest in 1796 by Beilby Porteus, the bishop of London. Forster served as a preacher in London chapels and later in Paris. He also held positions as chaplain to the Duke of Newcastle, the British embassy in Paris, and the Earl of Bridgewater. Forster was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He undertook publishing projects, including tastefully printed editions of classic authors and his own serial, "The British Gallery of Engravings." His personal life involved two marriages and he died in Paris in 1828.

Edward Forster was born in Colchester, Essex, on June 11, 1769. He received early education at home before attending Norwich Grammar School, where his father's friend, Samuel Parr, was involved. Forster matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1788. He later became a member of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, earning his B.A. in 1792. Although he entered Lincoln's Inn the same year, he ultimately chose a clerical path and was ordained a priest in 1796 by Beilby Porteus, the bishop of London. He received his M.A. in 1797. Forster was presented to the rectory of Aston Somerville in 1803 and served as a popular preacher in London chapels from 1800 to 1814, sharing duties with notable figures like Sydney Smith.

Forster engaged in significant publishing activities, aiming to produce finely printed editions of established authors. His projects included "Don Quixote" (1801), "Arabian Nights" (1802), and "Anacreon" (1802). He also published collections of dramatic works. His major serial publication was "The British Gallery of Engravings," which began in 1807 but was discontinued for financial reasons in 1813. Following the peace in 1815, Forster moved to Paris due to financial setbacks from his publications. There, he preached at the Temple Protestant de l'Oratoire du Louvre and was appointed chaplain to the British embassy in 1818, a post he held until his death. He also served as chaplain to the Earl of Bridgewater from 1824. Forster died in Paris on February 18, 1828.