American engineer and botanist in Massachusetts. Schooled at Williston Seminary, Fayette F. Forbes began to teach at that institution before working as an engineer on various railroads. In 1875 he was named engineer and superintendent of the Brookline Water Department in Massachusetts and remained in this position throughout his life. While overseeing the completion of the local water system, Forbes collected plants in the south-eastern United States and in Quebec, Canada. His herbarium of 16,000 carefully organised sheets, collected through his own wanderings and from exchanges, was donated to the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University and contains some important specimens. He was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club as well as treasurer of the Brookline Fireman's Relief Association.

Sources:
Anon, 1936, "Death of Fayette F. Forbes, Brookline, Mass, at Age of 83", Mueller Record, January 1936: 5
Botanical Collections, Harvard University. Issue containing the report of the President of Harvard College and reports of departments:
http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/viewtext/2582379?op=t&n=1450, accessed 1st June 2011.