Growing up in Norfolk (born at the old Norfolk & Norwich Hospital), Robert was captivated by boats and trains. The son of Major James Forsythe MBE, a founder of the Norfolk Wherry Trust, Robert learnt first hand about the challenges of fundraising and the work involved in keeping heritage afloat!
As an undergraduate Robert headed north to Durham to study Theology. Subsequently he discovered how to connect Theology, W.H. Auden and the Durham moors in navigating students around the industrial remains of the North Pennines.
He is a prize winning student from the Ironbridge Institute, going onto work for museums until becoming freelance in 1990.
Robert’s extensive bibliography of his published work is at www.forsythe.demon.co.uk/bibliography.htm
When he is not passionately writing and discussing ephemera, transport, poetry and landscape, test him out on oatcakes and yes on teashops!
Right at the end of 2011 Hexham MP Guy Opperman paid tribute to Robert’s advocacy naming him as a Local Champion: “the fascinating Robert Forsythe, who works tirelessly in Prudhoe”.
Those who retain Robert to help explore the North can expect an eye-opening time. Will Atkins, a Faber author and editor said this after a day spent between Hartside and Rookhope in November 2012 “‘Robert Forsythe is a natural guide: passionate about the landscape and its heritage,wide-ranging in his knowledge, and excellent at making connections.”
Researchers applaud Robert. David Wright in The History of Resin Transport Modelling (2013) wrote “When it comes to model railways, I turn first to Robert Forsythe, whose encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of model railways is always impressive, and never fails to locate some gems”.
