Georg Forster

Johann Georg Adam Forster (November 26, 1754 ? January 10, 1794) was a German botanical collector, artist, and revolutionist born in Poland. He took part in James Cook's second expedition to the Pacific.

Biography

Georg Forster was born in the small village of Mokry Dwór (Nassenhuben in German), near Gda?sk (Danzig) in the Polish province of Royal Prussia.

Related Topics:
Mokry Dwór - German - Gda?sk - Royal Prussia

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He was the first child of Johann Reinhold Forster and Justina Elisabeth. His father was a naturalist, scientist and a lutheran pastor. As a result of the scientific avocation, his father appointed by Russian tsar set out for a research journey to Russia in 1765. Ten years old Georg joined him in the voyage. They reached Kirghiz steppe at the lower Volga. The young Forster learned there how to conduct research in the nature sciences and how to practise cartography. He also taught himself Russian there. A report from the journey was refused by tsar so Forsters had to move and they settled in England in 1766. The father took up teaching and translation there. The young Forster, in his thirteens, published a translation of Lomonosov's history of Russia which gained good acceptance in scientific circles.

Related Topics:
Johann Reinhold Forster - Lutheran - Pastor - Tsar - Russia - 1765 - Kirghiz - Steppe - Volga - 1766 - Lomonosov

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In 1772 Johann Forster became a member of The Royal Society. This resulted in his invitation to James Cook's second expedition to the Pacific (1772?75). Georg Forster joined his father in the expedition. They embarked on the board of the HMS Resolution. Throughout the whole journey, both Forsters took down detailed notes in their scientific diaries. The relations between them and captain Cook together with his officers were problematic, though. This was a result of both Prussian pride of Forsters and justifiable feeling of independence on one hand and captain Cook's need to warrant orderly course of the journey on the other hand. These conflicts continued after the journey when the problem of who should write the official account of the travel arised. Later, the young Forster published an account of the voyage entitled A Voyage round the World in His Britannic Majesty's Sloop Resolution, Commanded by Capt. James Cook, during the Years, 1772, 3, 4, and 5 (1777).

Related Topics:
1772 - The Royal Society - James Cook - Pacific - 75 - HMS Resolution - 1777

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Both Forsters published travel descriptions to the South Sea in the Magazin von merkwürdigen neuen Reisebeschreibungen ("Magazine of notable new travel accounts") in Berlin; and Georg, a translation of "A Voyage to the South Sea, by Lieutenant William Bligh, London 1792" in 1791 and 1793. The innovative descriptions of those travels were the basis for many books and films, like Mutiny on the Bounty.

Related Topics:
South Sea - Berlin - William Bligh - London - 1792 - 1791 - 1793 - Mutiny on the Bounty

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On initiative of Komisja Edukacji Narodowej, Forster became Professor of Natural History at Wilno University in 1784 (upon his return to the Continent). Despite his notable scientific record he was not accepted well in Wilno. His famous speech on natural history from 1785 went unnoticed and was not printed before 1843. He broke the contract 6 years short of its completion, after Catherine II of Russia gave him an offer to take part in a journey around the world for a high honorarium. This resulted in a conflict between Forster and J?drzej ?niadecki. However, the Russian proposal was withdrawn and Forster left Wilno. He settled in Mainz where he took up the job in the university library. In 1790 he made a tour of the Rhine with Alexander von Humboldt. This resulted in a book Ansichten von Niederrhein, von Brabant, Flandern, Hollandd, England und Frankreich. He expressed support for the French Revolution, was expelled from Germany as a traitor and died in poverty in Paris.

Related Topics:
Komisja Edukacji Narodowej - Natural History - Wilno University - 1784 - The Continent - 1785 - 1843 - Catherine II of Russia - J?drzej ?niadecki - Wilno - Mainz - 1790 - Rhine - Alexander von Humboldt - French Revolution - Germany - Traitor - Paris

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