William Edward Forster (1818–86)

Liberal politician. Woolen-worsted manufacturer in Bradford from 1840. Advocated state-supported working-class education. Established a mill school, 1854. A member of the Alpine Club, 1859. MP for Bradford, 1861. Involved in the legislation for free compulsory elementary education; the resulting Act was known as ‘Forster’s Act’, 1870. Chief secretary for Ireland, 1880–2.