Robert Forster

Robert Forster (1791 – 11 October 1873) was a British Quaker. He was a surveyor, an estate manager and an abolitionist. He took a lifelong interest in education. He was cared for by his younger sister Anne Forster who died three days after him. He had notable brothers as well as sisters Mary Forster and Sarah Forster who were leading Quakers. Life Robert Forster was born in 1791 into a well known Quaker family. He was one of the ten children of Elizabeth (born Hayward) and William Forster. His father was a schoolmaster who became a land surveyor. His sisters and his brothers William and Josiah were very active doing good works and it was Robert who turned his attention's to the family's surveying business. He was also employed by the Earl of Darnley before he became an Earl as his steward. His employer had plans for the village of Northfleet in Kent and Forster was empowered to employ builders to extend Northfleet. He was a member of the British and Foreign School Society and served on their committee for all of his life starting in 1817.