Edwin Forrest, an American actor, born in Philadelphia, March 9, 1806, died there, Dec. 12, 1872. His father was Scotch, his mother of German birth. He exhibited from an early age a taste for the stage, and when 11 years old participated in theatrical representations as a member of an amateur club, sometimes performing female parts. His first appearance on the regular stage was on Nov. 27, 1820, when he acted Douglas in Home's play of that name. His next part, played in the same engagement, was Frederick in Mrs. Inchbald's "Lovers' Vows." A protracted professional tour in the west and south ensued, in which he won considerable reputation. He essayed Shakespearian characters first in 1822, in Cincinnati, where he performed Richard III. and Othello. His first great success was achieved May 26,1826, in the Park theatre, New York, as Othello. This led to a long engagement at the Bowery theatre, where he won some of his greatest triumphs. In October, 1829, he went to the Park theatre, where he long enjoyed extraordinary popularity. There he first acted Metamora (Dec. 15, 1829) in John II. Stone's tragedy of that name, and Spartacus (Sept. 25, 1831) in Dr. Bird's "Gladiator," both of which were written to fit his peculiar talents.

In 1835 he visited Europe, and after a long tour on the continent appeared as Spartacus in Drury Lane theatre, Oct. 17, 1836. He met with success everywhere, and received many courtesies from eminent literary men and from those of his profession, particularly from Mr. Macready. In 1837, he married Catharine Norton Sinclair, daughter of John Sinclair the singer, and soon afterward returned to the United States, where he was welcomed by enthusiastic audiences. After an engagement in Philadelphia, he played at the Park theatre in New York, where he first appeared as Ayhmere, May 24, 1841, in Robert T. Conrad's play of Aylmere, the Bondsman of Kent," better known as "Jack Cade." This was one of his most effective characters, in which he appeared to the best advantage. In 1845 Mr. and Mrs. Forrest returned to London. During this visit, which lasted two years, a rupture occurred in the friendly relations between Forrest and Mac-ready, and to the zeal with which the friends of the former espoused his quarrel was due the disgraceful riot in New York, May 10, 1849, during an engagement of Macready at the Astor place opera house. Soon after Forrest separated from his wife for alleged misconduct on her part, and in 1850 counter suits for a divorce on the ground of adultery were instituted.

His conduct at this time alienated from him the sympathy of the better class of people. Mrs. Forrest obtained a divorce from him, forfeiting none of her honors and legal rights, and was decreed an allowance of $3,000 a year as alimony, a decision which he contested up to the court of last resort. In 1850 Forrest purchased an estate on the Hudson river and built a house which he named Fonthill. He sold this, at a large advance on its cost, for a convent, and in 1855 bought a residence at Spring Brook, near Philadelphia, where he resided until his death. He retired from the stage in 1858, but reappeared in 1863 and again in 1867. His last engagement began on Feb. 6, 1871, in the Fourteenth street theatre, New York, during which he played Lear and Richelieu; but he was compelled by illness to retire. Three weeks before his death, he appeared in Stein-way hall, New York, as a reader of "Hamlet" and Othello." He died of apoplexy, surviving the attack only half an hour. Forrest accumulated a large fortune, estimated at upward of $1,000,000. By his will he left a large part of his fortune to establish an institution for aged and destitute actors.

His splendid library, which he had spent many years in gathering, the Shakespeare collection being said to be the finest in the world, was almost entirely destroyed by fire in his house in Philadelphia, Jan. 15, 1873. His biography, by the Rev. W. R. Alger, is in preparation.