Forth

by Marion Ward

1982, British hardcover edition, Phillimore and Co., London, 238 pages, 11-page illustration gallery, portraits of people from the time period reflected in this title. Nathaniel Parker Forth, King George III's special envoy in Paris at the time of the war of American independence, developed an intelligence system that was used to outwit Marie Antoinette. He was the man responsible for introducing English racehorses and racing in France. At the end of his career in France, he was shadowed by the eyes of Napoleon's police.

238 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The major characters in history often have several biographies written of them. However, there are other individuals whose roles in history are important, but unheralded. Occasionally one comes across a biography of some such personage. Marion Ward's biography of Nathaniel Parker Forth. Being a younger son, he had to earn his own way in the world. He went into business and because of his contacts on the continent and in Great Britain he was able to attain an appointment as a special envoy from Great Britain to France during the American Revolution. When war between England and France broke out his business intelligence network became an asset to the Crown. One of the lessons he learned along the way was: be wary of lending to Princes. Forth's life was also an example of how English/European society operated in the Late 18th century and is amply portrayed in Ward's work. Her book is one that will be useful to those interested both in political history and in social history.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bio of Nathaniel Parker Forth, C18 special envoy, agent and financier. Bought it for my research into commercial loans to George, Prince of Wales. Postman delivered it a few minutes ago, and already I can see that it explains one especially complex loan that other historians have glossed over. The author had access to private MSS, and the book is indexed and well referenced.