Robert Forest was a prosperous resident of Vauxhall, listed in the 1851 census as a “Slate, Stone, Tile and Lime Merchant”. He and his wife, Catherine, did not have any children and devoted a considerable fortune to charitable causes.
Historic records indicate that he contributed to many institutions
Historic records indicate that Forest contributed to many institutions in his lifetime, including the Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the Chest, the Royal Sea Bathing Infirmary, the Asylum for Female Orphans and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. He also supported a charity that cared for members of the Clergy who were ill or had long term health conditions preventing them from performing their duties.
Endowed the Forest Scholarship
Forest almost certainly moved in the same circles as Dr John Propert and would have been aware of his efforts to establish Epsom College. From 1860 to 1861, he served as Vice-President of the College, and was a major benefactor. He endowed the Forest Scholarship, awarded to the most promising academic scholar entering the College at 13, as well as a leaving scholarship to support a pupil entering medical school.
In 1861, he died of complications arising from gallstones, having swiftly stepped down from his duties at the College. The solicitors, acting as executors of his will, described him in the London Daily News: “A gentleman-who has exhibited feelings of philanthropy in the distribution of his property almost unexampled.”
Forest left £5,000 to Epsom College for scholarships
Forest left £5,000 to Epsom College for scholarships, the equivalent of about £700,000 today. He also left substantial amounts to establish pensions for “the poor women of Lambeth” including the “Women of Vauxhall Alms houses” plus large amounts to Kennington Oval National Schools, Stockwell Grammar School, the Builder’s Benevolent Institution, the Field Lane Ragged School and Refuge, and many medical institutions. His will stated further that any surplus funds should be used to supplement the pensions of the “women of Lambeth.”
A subsequent article about Forest in the South London Chronicle, titled An Example worthy of Imitation begins: “It is refreshing in this age of self, when most men seem absorbed in the (to them) one all-important pursuit of money accumulation, to find one here and there who disposes of his wealth after his decease in such a manner that it is certain to do a vast amount of good to a large number of his poorer fellow-creatures”. It ends: “We hope that so good an example may not be lost upon those who have amassed considerable sums of money in our district, which numbers so many thousands of the poorer classes; and also that the money may be properly applied.”
Commissioned and funded a stained glass window
To honour his life and legacy, his wife, Catherine, commissioned and funded a stained glass window in the Epsom College Chapel. Canon Adrian Esdaile’s fascinating guide, The Stained Glass of Epsom College Chapel, discusses the memorial at length reflecting on its depiction of the Good Samaritan. Canon Esdaile highlights how it is “notable for the facial expressions, the luxurious foliage and the rich colouring of the glass”.
Forest House was one of the first group of boys’ Houses founded in 1883. Given Robert Forest’s commitment and legacy to the College, it was a fitting tribute to name one of the first houses after him.
