1754-1794

German naturalist who, with his father Johann Reinhold Forster, accompanied Captain James Cook on his second major expedition (1772-75). Following their return to England after Cook's wildly successful voyages, the younger Forster published A Voyage Around the World (1777). This popular two-volume work preceded Cook's own account, but was charged with portraying Cook in an unfairly negative light. The younger Forster was also an important influence on German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.