Wine producer, exporter, agronomist, artist, cartographer and photographer, Joseph James Forrester was an incontrovertible figure in the history of the Douro region and Port Wine. Although of Scottish descent, Joseph James Forrester was born in Hull. His first contact with Port Wine was as an adolescent in the
London offices of Offley. In 1831 Joseph James Forrester moved to Porto to work for his
uncle, a partner in Offley Webber Forrester and founder member of
the British Association.
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Joseph James Forrester |
His contribution to the region assuaged some of the antagonism from
growers and shippers aroused by the controversial views expressed in
"Uma Palavra de Verdade sobre o Vinho do Porto".
Later Joseph James Forrester was to concern himself with the growing
problem of vine diseases with the publication of "Memória sobre o
Curativo da Moléstia nas Videiras"
For his contribution to the navigability of the river, Queen D. Maria II granted total immunity from customs duties on his exportations to England, while King D. Fernando granted him the title of Baron in 1855.
Ironically, Joseph James Forrester lost his life on the river he knew so well when the pleasure-craft in which he was travelling capsized in the Cachão da Valeira on 12th May 1861. It is said that the burden of the gold coins he carried in a money belt weighed him down, while his companion on the trip, Dª Antónia Ferreira, was buoyed up by the typical balloon skirts of the period.
For his contribution to the navigability of the river, Queen D. Maria II granted total immunity from customs duties on his exportations to England, while King D. Fernando granted him the title of Baron in 1855.
Ironically, Joseph James Forrester lost his life on the river he knew so well when the pleasure-craft in which he was travelling capsized in the Cachão da Valeira on 12th May 1861. It is said that the burden of the gold coins he carried in a money belt weighed him down, while his companion on the trip, Dª Antónia Ferreira, was buoyed up by the typical balloon skirts of the period.
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