Joseph Forsyth facts for kids

Joseph Forsyth (born February 18, 1763 – died September 20, 1815) was a Scottish writer. He is best known for his book about his travels in Italy. He was a very smart and observant person who loved art, history, and literature.

Joseph Forsyth's Early Life

Joseph Forsyth was born in a town called Elgin, Scotland, on February 18, 1763. His father, Alexander Forsyth, was a merchant who was known for being intelligent and religious. Joseph's mother, Ann Harrold, came from a farming family. Her father had fought for Prince Charles in the Battle of Culloden and later died as a prisoner.

When Joseph was 12 years old, he went to King's College, Aberdeen and finished his studies in 1779. His parents hoped he would become a church minister. However, Joseph was a bit shy and decided not to follow that path.

Becoming a Teacher

Instead, Joseph moved to London. He started working as an assistant at a school in Newington Butts. Soon, he was able to buy the school himself. He ran the school successfully for 13 years.

But after a while, his health wasn't very good. So, he decided to close the school and move back to Elgin.

An Exciting Trip to Italy

Once he was back home, Joseph finally had the time and money to do something he had always dreamed of: visit Italy! The news of the Peace of Amiens (a peace agreement) reached Elgin on October 7, 1801. Just five days later, Joseph was already on his way south. He arrived in Nice on Christmas Day.

He spent the next 18 months exploring many famous cities in Italy. He met people in literary groups and saw everything with the eyes of someone who knew a lot about the country's poets and historians. He was also an expert in architecture and a very keen observer of people and life.

Unexpected Imprisonment

Joseph was in Turin on his way back home when the war started again. On May 25, 1803, the police arrested him. He was taken as a prisoner to Nismes, France. At first, the rules there were not very strict.

However, Joseph tried to escape. After that, he was forced to march in the middle of winter to Fort de Bitché. His imprisonment there was very strict at first. But slowly, the rules became a bit easier. After two years, he was moved to Verdun, where he stayed for five years.

Gaining Freedom

In 1811, a lady who worked for the king of Holland helped Joseph. Because of her, he was allowed to live in Paris. But just four months later, all English people in Paris were ordered back to their detention places. Joseph's friends who loved books and writing tried their best to help him. The most they could get was permission for him to go to Valenciennes instead of Verdun.

He finally got his freedom when the allied armies entered Paris in March 1814.

Later Life and Passing

After spending a year in London, Joseph returned to Elgin. He planned to settle down there. However, his health, which was never very strong, had been weakened by his 13 years of being held captive. He passed away on September 20, 1815. Joseph was buried in his parents' tomb in the Elgin Cathedral churchyard.

Joseph Forsyth's Writings

Napoleon liked to show himself as someone who supported art. Joseph Forsyth had studied Italian literature and art. He wrote a book hoping it would help him get released from prison.

Remarks on Italy

His book, Remarks on Antiquities, Arts, and Letters, during an Excursion in Italy in the years 1802 and 1803, was published in London in 1813. Copies were sent to Paris, but it did not lead to his release.

A second edition of the book came out in 1816. It included a short story about Joseph written by his brother Isaac. The book went through several more editions, including one published in Geneva in 1820. Joseph himself wrote in his book that he never planned to write it when he first went to Italy. This was the only book he ever wrote.