FORSTER, FRANK, civil engineer, was born in the year 1800, near Newoultle-upon-Tyne, and at an early age was put to learn the business of a colliery viewer, or mining agent. After seine years, lie was intrusted with the management of mining works near Swansea ; and he was afterwards similarly engaged in Lancashire. Whilst thus occupied, about the year 1830, ho became acquainted with Mr. Robert Stephenson, under whom he was ultimately employed in the superiutendeueo of some of the most difficult works on the London and Birmingham railway, inclusive of the Kilsby Tunnel and the Blisworth Cutting, and somewhat later he was resident engineer of the portion of the Chester and Holyhead railway, from near Conway to Holyhead, including the masonry of the Britannia Bridge, and difficult works in sea-walls and tunnels along the line. On the formation of the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers, Mr.
Forster was appointed chief engineer, and was instructed to furnish a general scheme of London sewerage, for which many plans had been sent in to an invitation some time previously. He very soon suffered from the effects of the arduous duties thrown upon him, and which were rendered more difficult by numerous contending opinions and interests. He himself was freely animadverted upon by the press, and he was at length compelled to resign his appoint ment, and died suddenly a few weeks afterwards, on the 13th April 1852, in his fifty-second year. His reports and plans with reference to the drainage of the north of London remain, and are under stood to have formed tho basis of the schemes now under con sideration, and in which a partial commencement of work has been made.