View source for Macbean, Forbes

{{Template2
|Dates=1743-45, c.1755-59, 1780s-90s
|Location=London
|Vocation=Army officer
|Place of Birth=Inverness
|Marriage=Anne
|Issue=Two sons
|Source=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
}}
Entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich as a cadet-matross (1743) and passed out as a lieutenant-fireworker, Royal Artillery (1745). 
Posted to Flanders, but returned to Britain to join army of William Augustus and served at the siege of Carlisle (1745). 
Returned to Flanders. Sought to go to India but was instead offered a post in Ireland. Macbean, however, purchased the adjutancy at Woolwich, a post that he held until promoted captain in 1759. He was then posted to Germany, also travelling to Portugal and Canada. Continuously promoted throughout his military career, being promoted colonel (brevet) and colonel, Royal Artillery,  (1782), major-general (1793), and lieutenant-general(1798).
Died at his home, at Woolwich Common, in 1800.