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. and served on their committee for all of his life starting in 1817.

A picture was commissioned that showed the delegates, including Robert Forster, of the new British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society which was formed in 1839. The painting captured this important international convention in June 1840.