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William Edward Forster

(1818-1886), Industrialist, philanthropist and Liberal politician; MP for Bradford; son of William Forster

Sitter in 23 portraits
Politician; from a Quaker background, Forster entered the Bradford wool trade in 1842 and soon took a keen interest in politics and the condition of the poor. He served as a Liberal MP for the city from 1861 until 1886, assuming responsibility for major legislation leading to a national system of education under Gladstone's first administration of 1868. Appointed by Gladstone as Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1880, he resigned office in 1882.

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William Edward Forster, by Charles Holl, after  Henry Tanworth Wells - NPG D20717

William Edward Forster

by Charles Holl, after Henry Tanworth Wells
stipple engraving, 1871 or after
NPG D20717

William Edward Forster (The Popular Educator. The gutter orphan finds a Forster father's care'), published by Frederick Arnold, after  Unknown artist - NPG D48300

William Edward Forster (The Popular Educator. The gutter orphan finds a Forster father's care')

published by Frederick Arnold, after Unknown artist
lithograph, published in the Hornet 7 August 1872
NPG D48300

Web image not currently available

William Edward Forster

by Lock & Whitfield, published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
woodburytype, published 1878
NPG x134540

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