Thomas Ignatius Maria Forster
Encyclopedia
Thomas Ignatius Maria Forster (b. London, 9 Nov., 1789; d. Brussels
, 2 Feb., 1860) was an astronomer and naturalist.
His father, a botanist, was a follower of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
. As early as 1805 he had compiled a "Journal of the Weather" and had published his Liber Rerum Naturalium. A year later, inspired by Gall
's works, he took up the study of phrenology
. The Great Comet of 1811 aroused his interest in astronomy, a science which he continued to pursue, and eight years later, on 3 July 1819, he himself discovered a new comet. He finally matriculated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
, in order to study law, but soon abandoned it to study medicine, taking his degree in 1819. Two years before, he had married the daughter of Colonel Beaufoy and taken up his residence at Spa Lodge, Tunbridge Wells. After the birth of his only daughter he moved to Hartwell in Sussex
, and then spent three years abroad. His observations and studies in Continental Europe led to the publication, in 1824, of his "Perennial Calendar". It was also during this period that he converted to Catholicism. After his return to England he became a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
and helped to found a meteorological society, which, however, had but a brief existence.
His father died in 1825, and he soon after took up his residence in Chelmsford
in order to be near his daughter, who was a pupil at Newhall Convent. Here he undertook a series of researches on the influence of atmospheric conditions on diseases, and particularly on cholera. In 1830 he collected and published the letters of John Locke
, Shaftesbury
, and Algernon Sydney
. In 1833 he again went abroad, where he spent most of his remaining years, settling finally in Bruges
. He continued writing during the latter part of his life, including poetry. He also composed selections for the violin. He numbered among his friends many of the prominent authors and scholars of his time, such as Thomas Gray
, Porson, Percy Bysshe Shelley
, Peacock, William Herschel
, and William Whewell
. He was a vegetarian.
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, 2 Feb., 1860) was an astronomer and naturalist.
His father, a botanist, was a follower of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of 18th-century Romanticism. His political philosophy influenced the French Revolution as well as the overall development of modern political, sociological and educational thought.His novel Émile: or, On Education is a treatise...
. As early as 1805 he had compiled a "Journal of the Weather" and had published his Liber Rerum Naturalium. A year later, inspired by Gall
Franz Joseph Gall
Franz Joseph Gall was a neuroanatomist, physiologist, and pioneer in the study of the localization of mental functions in the brain.- Life :...
's works, he took up the study of phrenology
Phrenology
Phrenology is a pseudoscience primarily focused on measurements of the human skull, based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that certain brain areas have localized, specific functions or modules...
. The Great Comet of 1811 aroused his interest in astronomy, a science which he continued to pursue, and eight years later, on 3 July 1819, he himself discovered a new comet. He finally matriculated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It is notable as the only college founded by Cambridge townspeople: it was established in 1352 by the Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
, in order to study law, but soon abandoned it to study medicine, taking his degree in 1819. Two years before, he had married the daughter of Colonel Beaufoy and taken up his residence at Spa Lodge, Tunbridge Wells. After the birth of his only daughter he moved to Hartwell in Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, and then spent three years abroad. His observations and studies in Continental Europe led to the publication, in 1824, of his "Perennial Calendar". It was also during this period that he converted to Catholicism. After his return to England he became a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
and helped to found a meteorological society, which, however, had but a brief existence.
His father died in 1825, and he soon after took up his residence in Chelmsford
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
in order to be near his daughter, who was a pupil at Newhall Convent. Here he undertook a series of researches on the influence of atmospheric conditions on diseases, and particularly on cholera. In 1830 he collected and published the letters of John Locke
John Locke
John Locke FRS , widely known as the Father of Liberalism, was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers. Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Francis Bacon, he is equally important to social...
, Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury was an English politician, philosopher and writer.-Biography:...
, and Algernon Sydney
Algernon Sydney
Algernon Sidney or Sydney was an English politician, republican political theorist, colonel, and opponent of King Charles II of England, who became involved in a plot against the King and was executed for treason.-Early life:Sidney's father was Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, a direct...
. In 1833 he again went abroad, where he spent most of his remaining years, settling finally in Bruges
Bruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
. He continued writing during the latter part of his life, including poetry. He also composed selections for the violin. He numbered among his friends many of the prominent authors and scholars of his time, such as Thomas Gray
Thomas Gray
Thomas Gray was a poet, letter-writer, classical scholar and professor at Cambridge University.-Early life and education:...
, Porson, Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the major English Romantic poets and is critically regarded as among the finest lyric poets in the English language. Shelley was famous for his association with John Keats and Lord Byron...
, Peacock, William Herschel
William Herschel
Sir Frederick William Herschel, KH, FRS, German: Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel was a German-born British astronomer, technical expert, and composer. Born in Hanover, Wilhelm first followed his father into the Military Band of Hanover, but emigrated to Britain at age 19...
, and William Whewell
William Whewell
William Whewell was an English polymath, scientist, Anglican priest, philosopher, theologian, and historian of science. He was Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.-Life and career:Whewell was born in Lancaster...
. He was a vegetarian.
Other publications
- Researches About Atmospheric Phaenomena (London, 1813; 2nd ed., 1815)
- Reflections on the Destructive Operation of Spirituous Liquors (London, 1812);
- Pocket Encyclopedia of Natural Phenomena (from his father's MSS., 1826);
- Beobachtungen uber den Einfluss des Luftdruckes auf das Gehor (Frankfurt, 1835);
- Observations sur l'influence des Cometes (1836);
- Pan, a Pastoral (Brussels, 1840);
- Essay on Abnormal Affections of the Organs of Sense (Tunbridge Wells, 1841);
- Annales d'un Physicien Voyageur (Bruges, 1848);
- numerous articles in The Gentleman's MagazineThe Gentleman's MagazineThe Gentleman's Magazine was founded in London, England, by Edward Cave in January 1731. It ran uninterrupted for almost 200 years, until 1922. It was the first to use the term "magazine" for a periodical...
. - A Synoptical Catalogue of British Birds: Intended to Identify the Species Mentioned by Different Names in Several Catalogues Already Extant. Forming a Book of Reference to Observations on British Ornithology Printed by and for Nichols, son, and Bentley, 1817