This article was published in Australian Dictionary of
Biography, Volume 8, (MUP), 1981 Alexander Forrest (1849-1901),
explorer, politician and investor, was born on 22 September 1849
at Picton, near Bunbury, Western Australia, fourth of nine sons
of William Forrest, miller, and his wife Margaret Guthrie, née
Hill. His older brother was (Sir) John Forrest. After education
at Bishop Mathew Hale's School in 1863-65, he worked at his
father's mill until in 1868 he advertised himself as a surveyor.
This somewhat premature move was followed by a further period of
training, but by 1870 he was experienced enough to serve as
second-in-command of John's first transcontinental expedition,
along the edge of the Great Australian Bright. On 1 January 1871
he was appointed to the Survey Department as surveyor-in-charge
of the Albany district; but, following a reorganization later
that year, he became an independent licensed surveyor working by
contract for the department. This kept him constantly at work
during the pastora