Nathaniel Forster (writer) facts for kids

Nathaniel Forster (born around 1726, died 1790) was an English priest and a writer who studied how countries manage their money and resources. He was known for his ideas on economics.

Early Life and Education

Nathaniel Forster was born in 1726 or 1727. His father, also named Nathaniel Forster, was a priest in a town called Crewkerne in Somerset, England. Nathaniel came from a family that valued education and scholarship.

He went to Balliol College, Oxford, a famous university, in 1742. Later, he moved to Magdalen College, Oxford, another college at Oxford. There, he earned his first university degree in 1745. He continued his studies and received a master's degree in 1748. Much later, in 1778, he earned two more advanced degrees, becoming a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.).

Career as a Priest

After his studies, Nathaniel Forster became a priest in the Church of England. He served as the rector of All Saints Church in Colchester. A rector is the main priest in charge of a church and its parish. He also worked as a chaplain, which means he provided spiritual guidance, to a noble lady called the Countess Dowager of Northington.

In 1764, he became the rector of a church in Tolleshunt Knights, a village in Essex. He continued his work as a priest until his death.

Writings on Economics

Besides his work as a priest, Nathaniel Forster was also a writer. He wrote several important books and pamphlets about how the economy works. This field is called "political economy," and it looks at how governments and societies manage wealth and resources.

Some of his notable works include:

• An Enquiry into the Causes of the present High Price of Provisions (1767): In this book, Forster explored why the cost of food and other goods was very high at the time. Experts have said this was one of the best books written during that period about rising prices.
• An Answer to Sir John Dalrymple's pamphlet on the Exportation of Wool (1782): This writing discussed the topic of exporting wool from England. At the time, there were debates about whether it was good for the country to sell its wool to other nations.

He also helped create a large index for the official records of the House of Commons, which is a part of the British Parliament. This index made it easier for people to find information in many volumes of parliamentary journals.

Later Life and Family

Nathaniel Forster passed away on April 12, 1790, when he was 63 years old. He had one son, Edward Forster, who also became a writer.