Nathaniel Forster (scholar) facts for kids

Nathaniel Forster (born 1718, died 1757) was an English church leader and a very smart scholar. He was known for his deep knowledge of old languages like Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, and for studying the Bible.

Life of Nathaniel Forster

Nathaniel Forster was born on 3 February 1718 in Stadscombe, a small place in Devon, England. His father, Robert Forster, was a minister there. His mother, Elizabeth, came from a family of church leaders and scholars. Her brother, Nicholas Tindal, translated a famous history book, and her uncle, Dr. Matthew Tindal, wrote important books about Christianity.

Early Education and Oxford

Nathaniel started his education in Plymouth, where his father had moved. He went to grammar school there. In 1732, when he was about 14, he went to Eton College, a famous school. At the same time, he joined Pembroke College, Oxford. This allowed him to get a scholarship worth £40 a year, which was a good amount of money back then.

After about 16 months at Eton, he moved to Oxford. He became a student at Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 1733. He worked hard and earned several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1735, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1739, and a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) in 1746. In 1739, he was chosen as a "fellow" of Corpus Christi, which meant he was a senior member of the college, often involved in teaching or research. He received his Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree in 1750, which is a very high degree in theology.

Church Career and Royal Society

In 1749, Nathaniel Forster became the rector of a small church in Hethe, Oxfordshire. This was thanks to Lord-chancellor Hardwicke, a very important judge, and Thomas Secker, a future Archbishop. In 1750, he became a personal chaplain to Bishop Joseph Butler, a well-known church leader. Bishop Butler passed away in Nathaniel's arms in Bath, Somerset.

Nathaniel returned to his college for a short time. In July 1752, he was chosen as one of the chaplains to Thomas Herring, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop is the most senior bishop in the Church of England. In 1754, the Archbishop gave him a valuable position as the vicar of Rochdale, Lancashire. However, Nathaniel did not stay long in Rochdale. In 1755, he was given a special position called a "prebendal stall" in Bristol Cathedral.

On 1 May 1755, Nathaniel Forster was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group for scientists and scholars in the United Kingdom. A year later, in 1756, he became one of the chaplains to King George II. In 1757, he was appointed a preacher at the Rolls Chapel in London.

Later Life and Death

In August 1757, Nathaniel Forster married Susan Balls, a widow who had her own money. He moved into a house in London. However, he passed away just two months later, on 20 October 1757, at the age of 39. He was buried in St Martin's Church, Westminster. His widow later put up a monument in his memory in Bristol Cathedral.

Nathaniel Forster's Writings

Nathaniel Forster was a dedicated scholar who knew Greek, Latin, and Hebrew very well. He published several important books and sermons during his life. These works showed his deep understanding of ancient texts and religious topics.

• Reflections on the Natural Foundation of the high Antiquity of Government, Arts, and Sciences in Egypt, Oxford, 1743. This book explored the ancient history of Egypt.
• Platonis Dialogi quinque. Recensuit, notisque illustravit Nathan. Forster, Oxford, 1745. This was an edition of five dialogues by the famous Greek philosopher Plato, edited and explained by Forster.
• Appendix Liviana, Oxford, 1746. This work focused on the ancient Roman historian Livy, providing notes and additions to his writings.
• Popery destructive of the Evidence of Christianity, Oxford, 1746. This was a sermon he gave about religious differences.
• A Dissertation upon the Account supposed to have been given of Jesus Christ by Josephus, 1749. In this book, he tried to show that a famous passage about Jesus Christ, written by the ancient historian Josephus, was mostly real.
• Biblia Hebraica sine punctis, Oxford, 1750. This was an edition of the Hebrew Bible without certain vowel markings, showing his expertise in Hebrew.
• Remarks on the Rev. Dr. Stebbing's "Dissertation on the Power of States to deny Civil Protection to the Marriages of Minors", &c., London, 1755. This was a response to another scholar's ideas about marriage laws.