FORSTER, William Edward, English statesman: b. Bradpole, Dorsetshire, 11 July 1818; d. London, 5 April 1886. He was edu cated at the Friends' School at Tottenham, and was active in the woolen trade in Bradford. In 1850 he married the eldest daughter of Dr. Arnold of Rugby. In 1865 he became under secretary for the colonies; in 1868 was ap pointed vice-president of the council on tion and a privy councillor; and in 1870 accepted a seat in Gladstone's Cabinet, and carried through Parliament the Elementary Education Bill (1870) and the Ballot Bill (1872). In 1880 he accepted the post of chief secretary for Ire land at a time when that country was dis tracted by political and agrarian tumults. To mitigate the severity of the numerous evictions he introduced a Compensation for Disturbance Bill (1880), which was rejected by the House of Lords. The following year he introduced a
Land Bill and a Coercion Bill, both of which were passed, and in order to check the growing power of the Land League he declared that organization illegal, and imprisoned Parnell and other members of his party. In April 1882 the government resolved to release the Parnellites and adopt a more conciliatory policy, where upon he resigned his office. Subsequently he was often found acting in opposition to the government, chiefly in reference to foreign af fairs, and he was also opposed to a separate Irish Parliament in Dublin. His opinion on the latter question carried great weight because of his well-known sympathy for Ireland, his abili ties as a statesman, his experience in affairs and his unquestioned honesty. Consult Reid, Wemyss, 'Life of Forster' (1888).