# William S. Forster — Topsy-Turvy character guide

> William S. Forster in Topsy-Turvy by Jules Verne.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Forster, Forster, Mr. W. S. Forster, W. S. Forster

**First appearance:** 0001-in-which-the-delegates-from-england-holland-sweden-denmark-and-russia-are-presented-to-the-reader

## Snapshot

Phlegmatic codfish dealer serving as the American Society's straw man at the auction, a target who barely understands the fight he's in.

## Who they are

Forster stands among the foreign delegates as the N.P.P.A.'s nominal representative, a businessman whose calm temperament contrasts sharply with the agitated Europeans circling him. He is described as knowing absolutely nothing of the affair, a puppet whose placidity makes him an easy mark for the delegation's collective frustration. His scuffle with Dean Toodrink, fought under prize-ring rules while Major Donellan looks on, crystallizes how the high-stakes polar sale has degenerated into petty international squabbling.

## Relationships

### [Major Donellan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters/major_donellan)

_professional_

Donellan and Forster work together as part of the project's leadership team, handling administrative and technical matters.

## In the story

### [In Which the North Polar Practical Association Rushes a Document Across Two Worlds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/in-which-the-north-polar-practical-association-rushes-a-document-across-two-worlds)

A codfish dealer of Baltimore and member of Ardrinell & Co., he serves as the temporary agent for the North Polar Practical Association, delivering the document to New York newspapers and providing the address for inquiries.

### [In Which the Delegates from England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia Are Presented to the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/in-which-the-delegates-from-england-holland-sweden-denmark-and-russia-are-presented-to-the-reader)

Representative of the North Polar Practical Association in America, mentioned as the sole American representative so far.

### [In Which the Arctic Regions Are Sold at Auction to the Highest Bidder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/in-which-the-arctic-regions-are-sold-at-auction-to-the-highest-bidder)

Represents the N.P.P.A., appears absorbed in a newspaper, bids calmly and wins the Arctic regions at 200 cents per square mile.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters/william_s_forster
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters