ROBERT BENNET FORBES
Name: Robert Bennet Forbes
Born: September 18, 1804
Died: November 23, 1889
Captain Robert Bennet Forbes (September 18, 1804-November 23, 1889), was a sea
captain, China merchant, ship owner, and writer. He was born in Jamaica Plain,
near Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Ralph Bennet and Margaret (Perkins)
Forbes, and brother of John Murray Forbes. As a member of the Forbes family of
Boston, much of his wealth was derived from the opium and China trade and he
played a prominent role in the outbreak of the Opium War. Despite the ethical
problems of dealing in opium, he was known to engage in humanitarian activities,
such as commandeering the USS Jamestown to send food to Irish famine sufferers
in 1847.
Name: Robert Bennet Forbes
Born: September 18, 1804
Died: November 23, 1889
Captain Robert Bennet Forbes (September 18, 1804-November 23, 1889), was a sea
captain, China merchant, ship owner, and writer. He was born in Jamaica Plain,
near Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Ralph Bennet and Margaret (Perkins)
Forbes, and brother of John Murray Forbes. As a member of the Forbes family of
Boston, much of his wealth was derived from the opium and China trade and he
played a prominent role in the outbreak of the Opium War. Despite the ethical
problems of dealing in opium, he was known to engage in humanitarian activities,
such as commandeering the USS Jamestown to send food to Irish famine sufferers
in 1847.