William Forsyth

“ In 1848 he joined the staff of the ‘Aberdeen Journal,’ one of the oldest and most influential of Scottish newspapers, and eventually was appointed editor, an office which he held with much honour for about thirty years. Forsyth was in politics a liberal-conservative. He gave his ardent support to all measures tending to the elevation of the people. He was much trusted by his political friends, but he always asserted a certain independence in his action. During the American civil war he stood almost alone among Scottish journalists in advocating the cause of the north. ”

“ This brought him under the lash of Hugh Miller, then editor of the ‘Witness,’ who not only reviewed the pamphlet (14 Jan. 1843) with merciless severity, but also recalled some of Forsyth's speculations in philosophy, which he covered with ridicule and scorn. It is curious that in two of these speculations he seems to have had an inkling of opinions largely current in the present time. ‘Whatever has no tendency to improvement will gradually pass away and disappear for ever.’ This hints at the ‘survival of the fittest.’ ‘Let it never be forgotten then for whom immortality is reserved. ”

“ The general respect of the neighbourhood was shown by his popular title as ‘the maister.’ Forsyth not only did much to revive the old glory of the town, but helped many young men to make their way in the world ”