Dr. Charles Forbes Papers

Dr. Charles Forbes was born in Kendall, New York on May 25, 1844. He moved to Rochester in 1858, attending the public schools before entering the University of Rochester. Upon graduation, he became principal first of Rochester's No. 4 School, then of No. 13 School, prior to heading to the University of Pennsylvania and then New York City's College of Physicians and Surgeons to study medicine. Forbes graduated in 1871, returning to Rochester to serve as Instructor in Natural Sciences at the Free Academy, a position he held for 13 years. In 1885, he became chair of natural sciences at McAlester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, a position he held for five years.

Forbes again returned to Rochester in 1890. He soon moved away again after he took a position as instructor of natural science at Elmira College for Women in Elmira, New York. From there, he went on to be an instructor at both Columbia University and the Mechanics' Institute of New York City. Forbes returned to Rochester for the last time in 1913 due to failing health. He passed away on October 2, 1917.

Besides his teaching career, Forbes was noted as an inventor, developing numerous apparatus for demonstrating scientific principals in the classroom. He was noted for his work on photographic technology, especially innovations in color photography, and operated a dry plate business with his brother Victor starting in 1883. He was also well-known for developing the individual communion cup and racks for holding them. His final invention, a gauze bandage, drain and sponge roller, was presented to the American Red Cross but weeks before his death and was immediately adopted for use in war preparations across the country.

Dr. Forbes married Elizabeth Bruff in 1874; she passed away in 1892. They had five children together. He was a member of New York Electrical Society, the Rochester Medical Society and the New York State Teachers' Association. He joined Central Presbyterian Church in 1860, and was associated with the congregation throughout his life. Indeed, his individual communion cups were first introduced at Central Presbyterian on Sunday, April 6, 1894. He became an elder of the Church in 1873, upon his father's death, and remained active in this role until failing health stopped him late in life.