John Forster (1812-1876)
Source: The Charles Dickens Originals
Edwin Pugh claims that Forster was the original of both Dowler and Podsnap: "To his friend, John Forster (says Mr. Fitzgerald, who was pretty well acquainted with both Forster and Dickens) was submitted everything he wrote, who conscientiously exercised his office of reviser and suggester of improvements during a long course of years — a troublesome and laborious task when thoroughly carried out. Forster had a substantial share in directing the course of the stories, and we find passages omitted and phrases altered at his suggestion. [continued below]
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.