Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 62.djvu/106

Wilson when only seventeen, and was also a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

He was author of: 1. ‘Illustrations of Zoology,’ Edinburgh, 1826, 9 pts. 4to. 2. ‘Entomologia Edinensis,’ written in conjunction with James Duncan, Edinburgh, 8vo, 1834. 3. ‘Treatise on Insects,’ Edinburgh, 1835, 8vo. 4. ‘Introduction to the Natural History of Quadrupeds and Whales,’ Edinburgh, 1838, 4to. 5. ‘Introduction to the Natural History of Fishes,’ Edinburgh, 1838, 4to. 6. ‘Introduction to the Natural History of Birds,’ Edinburgh, 1839, 4to. 7. ‘The Rod and Gun,’ Edinburgh, 1840, 8vo; new edition, 1844. 8. ‘A Voyage round the Coasts of Scotland,’ Edinburgh, 1842, 2 vols. 8vo. 9. ‘Illustrations of Scripture. By an Animal Painter, with Notes by a Naturalist’ [signed ‘J. W.’], Edinburgh [1855], fol. For the ‘Edinburgh Cabinet Library’ he wrote the zoology of India, China, Africa, and the northern regions of North America; while he contributed the greater part of the natural history and a life of Professor Forbes to the seventh edition of the ‘Encyclopædia Britannica.’ He moreover published many articles in the ‘Quarterly,’ in ‘Blackwood,’ and in other magazines.

His niece, (d. 1863), was a daughter of Andrew Wilson of Main House. She lost her mother in early life, but found a home with her grandmother and her uncle, Professor John Wilson (1812–1888) [q. v.], in Edinburgh. Subsequently she went to live with her other uncle, James Wilson, at Woodville, where, after the death of her aunt in 1837, she took charge of the house and remained till her death on 19 Sept. 1863.

She was author of: 1. ‘Little Things’ (anon.), Edinburgh, 1851, 18mo, which went through two German editions. 2. ‘Things to be thought of’ (anon.), Edinburgh, 1853, 12mo. 3. ‘Homely Hints from the Fireside’ (anon., the first edition of which appeared probably about 1858 or 1859); 2nd edit. Edinburgh, 1860, 12mo; new edit. 1862. 4. ‘The Chronicles of a Garden: its Pets,’ London, 1863, 8vo; 2nd edit. 1864.

[Memoirs of J. Wilson (with a portrait), by the Rev. J. Hamilton; Encycl. Brit. 8th edit. xxi. 876; Memoir of Henrietta Wilson, by the Rev. J. Hamilton, prefixed to her ‘Chronicles;’ Brit. Mus. Cat.; Allibone's Dict. of Engl. Lit.] 

WILSON, JAMES (1805–1860), politician and political economist, born at Hawick in Roxburghshire on 3 June 1805, the third son in a family of fifteen children, was the son of William Wilson (b. at Hawick 1764, d. of cholera in London 1832), a thriving woollen manufacturer. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Richardson, and she died at Hawick in 1815. Wilson was placed from 1816 to 1819 in the school at Ackworth belonging to the Friends, of which religious body his father was a member, and then for six months in a similar school at Earl's Colne in Essex. His taste at this time was for books, and he wished to become a schoolmaster. A desire for a more active life next inspired him, and he wanted to practise at the Scottish bar, but the rules of the Society of Friends did not permit of this occupation.

At the age of sixteen Wilson was apprenticed to a hat manufacturer at Hawick, but he still pursued far into the night the practice of reading and study. After a short time his father purchased the business for him and an elder brother named William. The two young men prospered in their undertaking, and their native town proved too small for their energies. In 1824 they removed to London, and commenced business with a partner, the firm being known as Wilson, Irwin, & Wilson. Their pecuniary gains were considerable, and James Wilson acquired a thorough practical knowledge of commercial life, both at home and in foreign countries. The firm was dissolved in 1831, but he continued, as James Wilson & Co., to carry on the business. On 5 Jan. 1832 he married Elizabeth Preston of Newcastle, and voluntarily ceased to be a member of the Society of Friends. He moved to Dulwich Place, then a secluded spot, though only about four miles from the city. Here he entertained his friends, and was fond of conversing with them on politics and statistics.

For twelve years Wilson succeeded in business, but about 1836 he was tempted into large speculations in indigo, and within three years nearly all his capital had vanished. He called his creditors together and made a proposition to them, which was accepted. Some time afterwards the property which he had assigned to them was realised and did not produce the sum which he had anticipated. He thereupon in the most honourable manner, without any ostentation, made good the deficiency. The firm was unaffected by his private failure, continuing its operations under another name and with Wilson as a partner. In 1844 he retired from business.

Three works published before his retirement made Wilson's name conspicuous in financial circles. The first of them, called ‘Influences of the Corn-laws as affecting all