Career
After receiving a university education in England, and taking his degree of Master of Arts, Forsyth entered the civil service of the East India Company, and went out to India as assistant conservator and acting conservator of forests. In a short time he was appointed settlement officer and deputy-commissioner of Nimar, and served under Sir Richard Temple, 1st Baronet, Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces. Forsyth was attached to the Bengal staff corps, and made a complete tour of the Central Provinces of India in 1862-1864.
He travelled across the plain of Chhattisgarh to the sál forests in the east.
Forsyth died in London 1 May 1871.