He was born in
Dean House in western Edinburgh on 25 September 1804 the son of Williamina Belches Stuart of Invermay and Sir William Forbes of Monymusk and Pitsligo, 7th baronet. His younger brothers included
James David Forbes. He studied law at the
University of Edinburgh, and qualified as an advocate in 1826. When his father died in 1828 he became 8th baronet, and took over the family home at 86 George Street. His country estate was at
Fettercairn. In 1833 he was elected a Fellow of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh his proposer being
Thomas Charles Hope. He died in London on 28 May 1866. Due to the lack of male heir the baronetcy passed to his nephew, William Stuart Forbes (1835–1906), son of Charles Hay Forbes, thereafter being titled as 9th baronet. ==Family==