author

George Forbes

1849–1936

A restless Victorian-era mind, he moved easily between astronomy and electrical engineering, helping shape both scientific ideas and practical technology. His career also carried him into exploration, invention, and writing, making him one of those rare figures who seemed drawn to every frontier at once.

3 Audiobooks

History of Astronomy

History of Astronomy

by George Forbes

Adventures in Southern Seas: A Tale of the Sixteenth Century

Adventures in Southern Seas: A Tale of the Sixteenth Century

by George Forbes

On the relation which ought to subsist between the strength of an electric current and the diameter of conductors, to prevent overheating

On the relation which ought to subsist between the strength of an electric current and the diameter of conductors, to prevent overheating

by George Forbes

About the author

Born in 1849, he was a Scottish electrical engineer, astronomer, explorer, author, and inventor whose work ranged across science and industry. He is remembered as a notably wide-ranging figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with interests that connected theoretical study to real-world engineering.

His career reflected an unusual mix of disciplines: he worked in electrical engineering, wrote about astronomy, and took part in exploratory and technical projects. That blend of scientific curiosity and practical problem-solving helped make him a distinctive public intellectual of his time.

He died in 1936, leaving behind a reputation for versatility and invention. For listeners who enjoy writers with lives as interesting as their subjects, his story offers a glimpse of an era when one person could still range boldly across many fields.