Born in 1813 at New Braes farm, Leochel-Cushnie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and baptised on 4 April 1813 the son of Peter Forbes, farmer, and his wife Margaret. Educated at Aberdeen University (M.A., 1836). Spent some time as a school teacher at Colchester, Essex, England. Ordained by the Presbytery of Glasgow on 29 June 1837 and arrived at Sydney, New South Wales, per "Portland" in December 1837. From there he was sent to Melbourne, arriving on 20 January 1838 per "James Watt" from Sydney. Became the first minister at Scots Church, Melbourne. Left there in 1846 and the following year founded the John Knox Free Church in Swanston Street, Melbourne. He married on 15 April 1845 at Tithatuan, near Melbourne, Port Phillip District, to Helen Johanna Clow, daughter of the Rev. James Clow and his wife Margaret, nee Morison. Founder of the "Port Phillip Christian Herald" newspaper. Died on 12 August 1851 at the Manse of John Knox's Church, Melbourne, Victoria, and was buried on 15 August 1851 at the Old Melbourne Cemetery, Vic. His remains were transferred in August 1855 to the Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, Vic.

[death certificate; Scott Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 1); Ward & Prentis Presbyterian Ministers in Australia 1822-1901; Harman James Forbes of Melbourne]

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