Forsyth, John Alexander, Lld

Forsyth, John Alexander, LL.D.

a Scotch clergyman, son of John Forsyth, graduated from the university and King's College, Aberdeen, in 1786; was licensed to preach October 13, 1790; presented by the king to the living at Belhelvie, in succession to his father, in January 1791, and ordained August 24 following. He died June 11, 1843, aged seventy-four years. To his knowledge of theology and the pastoral office he added a profound knowledge of chemistry, and was of great service to the British government in the manufacture of gunpowder. He was the discoverer, in 1805, of the percussion-lock, which was afterwards universally adopted, both in the army and by sportsmen; but he never received any public reward. See Fasti Eccles. Scoticanae, 3:495.