Description

Alexander Penrose Forbes (1817-1875), Scottish divine, was born at Edinburgh. He was at Oxford during the early years of the movement known as Tractarianism, and was powerfully influenced by association with Newman, Pusey and Keble. In 1844 he was ordained deacon and priest in the Church of England, but being naturally attracted to the Episcopal Church of his native land, he removed in 1846 to Stonehaven, the chief town of Kincardineshire. The same year, however, he was appointed to the vicarage of St Saviours, Leeds, a church founded to preach and illustrate Tractarian principles. In 1847 Forbes was consecrated to succeed Bishop Moir in the see of Brechin; he removed the episcopal residence to Dundee, combining the pastoral charge of the congregation with the duties of the see. Through his energy several churches were built, and among them the pro-cathedral of St Paul's. Forbes was a good scholar, a scientific theologian and a devoted worker, and was much beloved. His works include: Commentary on the Seven Penitential Psalms (1847), A Short Explanation of the Nicene Creed (1852) and Commentary on the Canticles (1853).