Joseph James
Forrester is a name not known too well over here, but famous in the Douro. An
English merchant, wine shipper, cartographer and port-lover, he was born in
Hull in 1809 to Scottish parents. A charismatic man loved by many, Forrester emigrated
to Oporto in 1831 to become a partner at the young firm of Offley, dedicating
his entire adult life to expanding the firm and the Port wine industry. He loved
the Douro and the Port it produced, and created international trade links for
the business side of the industry as well as charting the Douro River and
Valley; Forrester was the first to chart these, and did so with a devotion that
ended up producing in 1848 a large, detailed map of the river from the Spanish
frontier all the way to its mouth in Oporto. This work was globally recognised,
with commendations voted by the Municipal Chamber of Oporto, Agricultural Society
of the Douro and other public bodies, as well as being adopted as a national
work by the Portuguese government. This accomplishment earned Joseph
recognition from and entry into various European Geography and Art societies.
Joseph James Forrester's map of the Douro River - the first of its kind.
In 1844, Forrester
switched his attention more to the industry than the country, publishing an
anonymous pamphlet entitled ‘A Word or Two on Port Wine’. The work went through
eight editions quickly, and detailed the abuses of the time of the making and
treatment of Port as well as the legislation surrounding the trade. The Douro
Wine Company had gained a monopoly in the trade years before his birth, and in
imposing restrictions, taxations and artificial scarcity had caused – in his
eyes – the depression the Port wine industry had been suffering. Calling out
the men behind this moneymaking scheme, Joseph was bitterly attacked by those
involved after being identified as the author – but received thanks and praise
from 102 parishes of the Upper Douro area. In 1852 he gave evidence to the
House of Commons to further explain these abuses, and continued to write on this
and other subjects, furthering research into vine disease, olive oil
manufacture, soil types and native Portuguese grapes. In 1855 he was awarded by
commissioners of the Universal Exhibition in Paris the silver medal of the
first class and five diplomas of honourable mention for the collection of
publications he had produced. That same year, King Ferdinand II of Portugal
named him Barão (Baron) de Forrester for life.
Throughout his
life, the Baron of Forrester was also made knight, then knight commander of the
Orders of Christ and Isabella la Catolica, received the cross of chevalier of
various orders in Portugal and the highest medals reserved for learned
foreigners by the Pope and the emperors of Russia, Austria and France. He was a
member of the Royal Academies of Lisbon and Oporto, the Royal Academy of
Sciences of Turin, the English Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Geographical
Societies of London, Paris and Berlin.
On 12 May 1861, the Baron of Forrester was descending
the river he loved so much when his boat was swamped and he was drowned; his body
was never recovered. Upon hearing the news, ships in Lisbon and Oporto flew
their colours at half-mast and public buildings mourned similarly, recognising
the tragic passing of a man who had become a legend. Today, Joseph is still
remembered as the ‘Protector of the Douro’ in the country he devoted his life
to.
