Alexander Forbes (bishop of Brechin)

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The Right Reverend

Alexander Forbes
Bishop of Brechin
ChurchScottish Episcopal Church
DioceseBrechin
In office1847-1875
PredecessorDavid Moir
SuccessorHugh Jermyn
Orders
Ordination1845
by Richard Bagot
Consecration28 October 1847
by William Skinner
Personal details
Born(1817-06-16)16 June 1817
Died8 October 1875(1875-10-08) (aged 58)
Dundee, Scotland
BuriedSt Paul's Cathedral, Dundee
NationalityScottish
DenominationAnglican

Alexander Penrose Forbes (16 June 1817 – 8 October 1875) was a Scottish Episcopalian divine, born in Edinburgh. A leading cleric in the Scottish Episcopal Church, he was Bishop of Brechin from 1847 until his death in 1875.

Biography

St Drostan's Episcopal Church, Tarfside

He was the second son of

Boden Sanskrit scholarship. He graduated with a B.A. in 1844.[1]

He was at Oxford during the early years of the movement known as

Tractarian principles.[1]

On 28 October 1847 Forbes was consecrated to succeed Bishop Moir in the see of Brechin. He removed the episcopal residence to Dundee, where he resided till his death, combining the pastoral charge of the congregation with the duties of the see. When he came to Dundee the churchmen were accustomed owing to their small numbers to worship in a room over a bank. Through his energy several churches were built, among them the pro-cathedral of St Paul's.[1]

He was prosecuted in the Church courts for heresy, the accusation being founded on his primary charge, delivered and published in 1857, in which he set forth his views on the Eucharist. Keble wrote in his defence, and was present at his trial at Edinburgh. Forbes made a powerful defence, but was censured for erroneous teaching.[2] He was a good scholar, a scientific theologian and a devoted worker, and was much loved. He died at Dundee on 8 October 1875.[1]

Forbes' younger brother George Hay Forbes was also a member of the Episcopalian clergy, patristics scholar and editor. Bishop Forbes' correspondence is held by Archive Services at the University of Dundee as part of the Brechin Diocesan Library Manuscripts Collection.[3] This collection includes correspondence with E. B. Pusey and William Gladstone.[4]

St Drostan's Episcopal Church in Tarfside, Glen Esk, was built in 1879 in memory of Bishop Forbes.[5][6]

Principal works

  • A Short Explanation of the Nicene Creed (1852)
  • An Explanation of the Thirty-nine Articles (2 vols, 1867 and 1868)
  • Commentary on the Seven Penitential Psalms (1847)
  • Commentary on the
    Canticles (1853)[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Forbes, Alexander Penrose". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 636.
  2. ^ "The founder of St. Paul's", St. Paul's Cathedral, Dundee
  3. ^ "University of Dundee Archives Services the Collections". University of Dundee. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  4. ^ "General Election Special 2: Political leaders in the Archives". Archives, Records and Artefacts at the University of Dundee. University of Dundee. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  5. ^ "BrMS 11 Records of Tarfside Episcopal Church, Lochlee". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  6. ^ "The church & its history". St Drostan’s Church & Lodge. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
Secondary sources
  • Mackey, Bishop Forbes, a Memoir

External links

Religious titles
Preceded by
Bishop of Brechin

1847 – 1875
Succeeded by