John Forster

JOHN FORSTER (1812 - 1876)

Forster was born in a now-demolished part of Fenkle Street, Newcastle and later lived in Low Friar Street close by. Educated at the Royal Grammar school, he had a play performed (for one night) at the Theatre Royal in 1828.

Later on, in London, Forster became an important journalist and editor, associating with the leading literary folk of the day. He was a friend of Elizabeth Gaskell and persuaded her to entitle her famous novel Mary Barton, rather than use the name of the murderer, John Barton. He also persuaded Tennyson to restore the lines: 'Half a league, half a league/ Half a league onward...' to the beginning of 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'.

From 1837, Forster read in manuscript everything that Dickens wrote, and left these priceless documents to the nation when he died. Forster is recognised as the first professional biographer in 19th century England, and his life of Dickens in three volumes (1872-74) is still regarded as a standard work over a century later. Dickens described Forster's London home as Mr Tulkinghorn's residence in Bleak House and immortalised his pompous but lovable friend as Mr Podsnap in Our Mutual Friend. Forster also appears in works by Thackeray and Robert Browning.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
JOHN FORSTER (1812 - 1876) Forster was born in a now-demolished part of Fenkle Street, Newcastle and later lived in Low Friar Street close by. Educated at the Royal Grammar school, he had a play performed (for one night) at the Theatre Royal in 1828. Later on, in London, Forster became an important journalist and editor, associating with the leading literary folk of the day. He was a friend of Elizabeth Gaskell and persuaded her to entitle her famous novel Mary Barton, rather than use the name of the murderer, John Barton. He also persuaded Tennyson to restore the lines: 'Half a league, half a league/ Half a league onward...' to the beginning of 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'. From 1837, Forster read in manuscript everything that Dickens wrote, and left these priceless documents to the nation when he died. Forster is recognised as the first professional biographer in 19th century England, and his life of Dickens in three volumes (1872-74) is still regarded as a standard work over a century later. Dickens described Forster's London home as Mr Tulkinghorn's residence in Bleak House and immortalised his pompous but lovable friend as Mr Podsnap in Our Mutual Friend. Forster also appears in works by Thackeray and Robert Browning.
Return to Index	On to next Author