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Percy Forster (24 October 1799 - 2 November 1874) was an English born Scottish painter.

Life
His father was John Forster (born 1764) from Alnwick, the gamekeeper of the Duke of Northumberland.

His mother was Mary Greyson (born 20 July 1761) from Haltwhistle. John and Mary married on 22 March 1773.

Percy Forster was born in 24 October 1799 in Hulne Park, Alnwick in England. He was baptised on 10 October 1801.

He moved to Scotland, and he was working in East Lothian in the 1830s.

In the 1841 census, Forster was staying at Aberlady in East Lothian.

By 1843 he had moved to Kelso in the Scottish Borders. In 1844 he was at Bridge Street in the town.

From 1845 and to the 1850s he was at Coldstream in the Scottish Borders.

In 1861 he was named in the census in England at Richmond, Yorkshire. His occupation was an animal and portrait painter. This was the last census that detailed his occupation. It is known that Forster went blind shortly after and was given a place in Greatham Hospital, near Hartlepool. In the 1871 census he was detailed at Greatham and no occupation was given.

Art
Forster's art is more known in Scotland than England. While still at Alnwick he was exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy.

In 1828 he exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy his works: Dead Game and Fruit.

He was made a Honorary member of the RSA in 1828.

In 1829 he exhibited at the RSA 2 works named Fruit and another work Fruit and birds.

In 1830 he exhibited at the RSA 4 works named Fruit, Fish, Fruit Piece and Dead Game.

In 1831 he exhibited at the RSA his works named Portrait Of An Ox which was lent by Adam Bogue Esq. from Linplum near Haddington, in East Lothian.

When he moved to Scotland he continued exhibiting at the RSA first from Kelso, then from Coldstream.

Belatedly his art was recognised in England. His pencil portraits of Alnwick citizens were 'rediscovered' as a unique cross-section of the local population.

From As They Really Were: The Citizens of Alnwick 1831, published 2012: Percy Forster recorded over 100 portrait sketches of his fellow citizens. Collected in a battered folio volume, they were found 30 years ago in the offices of the author’s solicitor grandfather where they had lain for a century and a half among piles of old documents. [...] The son of the duke’s gamekeeper, Forster was born in Hulne Park, and by his 30s he had established a successful career as a portrait painter whose clients were the local gentry, well-to-do farmers and professional families. But these pencil portraits, although thought to have been created for his own pleasure and family amusement, are well drawn and skilful, the character of each face sharply delineated without sentimentality.

Death
He died on 2 November 1874 at Greatham Hospital near Hartlepool. Forster had went blind 'some years ago' and one of his patrons secured a place at the Greatham Hospital for him.

Works
His Booth Shorthorn Cow 'Necklace' is at Newcastle University.