Famous Wilsons

There have been many famous Wilsons from statesmen, writers, artists, and scientists to
a world-famous company whose name and logo is synonymous with sporting goods throughout the world.
A-B
Alexander Wilson (1766–1813) American poet, ornithologist, naturalist and illustrator born in Paisley, Scotland. Named Wilson's Petrel Oceanites oceanicus a small petrel which breeds in Antarctic and visits the southern Atlantic in summer, and Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor an American migrant.
Alexander Wilson (1714–1786) Scottish astronomer, meteorologist, and type-maker born in St. Andrews, Scotland, educated at the University of St. Andrews from where he graduated at the age of 18. Noted for construction of mercury barometers.
Andrew Wilson (1780-1848) Watercolour artist, Tate Gallery.
Andrew Norman Wilson (b. 27 October 1950) English writer and newspaper columnist, known for his critical biographies, novels, works of popular history and religious views.
Sir Angus Frank Johnstone Wilson CBE (1913-1991) English novelist and short story writer. Awarded 1958 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for "The Middle Age of Mrs Eliot".
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Knyvet Wilson (4 March 1842 – 25 May 1921) nickname 'Tug' Wilson from an incident when he repeatedly ordered a battleship to come alongside, and in exasperation signalled the battleship stating that if he couldn't berth the ship, he would personally use a battleship as a tug to assist him.
Arthur 'Dooley' Wilson Better known as Sam, the pianist in Casablanca singing 'As time goes by'.

Benjamin Wilson FRSA (1721-1788) English painter, etcher and scientist. Elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1751 receiving its gold medal in 1760 for electrical experiments.
Benjamin Davis Wilson (1811-1878) California statesman and politician who in 1864 mounted the first white man's expedition to a high peak of the San Gabriel Mountains. Mount Wilson location of the Mount Wilson Observatory.
Bill Wilson Born East Dorset, Vermont, USA co-founder of 'Alcoholics Anonymous'.
Brian Douglas Wilson American musician, best known as founder, lead singer and main songwriter of 'The Beach Boys' whose recording studio was situated in his mansion in Bel Air (once the home of Edgar Rice Burroughs author of Tarzan books).
C-H
Cassandra Wilson (b. Dec 3 1955) American jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi. Winner of two Grammy Awards.
Colin Henry Wilson (b.1931) Prolific British writer who came to prominence as a philosopher and novelist. Written widely on true crime, mysticism, and other topics.
Charles T. R. Wilson (1869-1959) Nuclear physicist whose photographs of 'cloud chamber' in 1912 later used in detection of protons and electrons.
Dennis Main Wilson (b.1924 d.1997) BBC producer of many famous radio and television programmes: Goon Show, Hancock's Half Hour, Till Death Us Do Part, Sykes, and The Rag Trade.
Edmund Wilson (b.May 8 1895 d.June 12 1972) author and pre-eminent American literary critics.
Dr Edward Adrian William Wilson (1872-1912) (aka Uncle Bill) notable English polar explorer physician, naturalist and ornithologist. Died with Robert F Scott on expedition to the Antarctic.
Emily Ruth Wilson (born 1971) graduate of Balliol College, Oxford and Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Pennsylvania. Best selling children's authoress. Book reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and the London Review.
George Washington Wilson (1823-1893) pioneering Scottish photographer noted for pictures of Queen Victoria and John Brown.
Rt. Hon. Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx (1916-1995). UK Labour Prime-minister 1963. Famous words; "This (re-valuation of Sterling) will not affect the pound in your pocket."
Halsey William Wilson (1868–1954) Founder of the H.W. Wilson Company in 1889, famous American publishing empire.
Harriette Wilson (b.1786 d.1845) celebrated Regency courtesan and 'Grande horizontale'. Conquests included George Prince of Wales, the Lord Chancellor, and four Prime Ministers including Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington whom she tried to blackmail. His response? "Publish and be damned!"
Harriet E. Wilson (1825–1900) earliest female African-American novelist and first African-American of any gender to publish a novel in the USA. Wrote novel, "Our Nig" published 1859.
Hugh Wilson Architect, Cumbernauld New Town, near Glasgow (1958).
J
Dame Jacqueline Wilson DBE FRSL (nιe Aitken; born 17 December 1945) Award-winning English author known for her vast and diverse work in children's literature, perhaps best known for her series of novels featuring the character Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in her 1991 novel The Story of Tracy Beaker.
Jabez Wilson "The Red Haired League" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
James Wilson Following a disturbance in Benburb, Ulster, in which Protestant homes were attacked, James Wilson, a Freemason, founded the 'Orange Order' in County Tyrone in 1792. The order was named to commemorate the victory of William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Battle of the Boyne (1690).
Dr. Jim Wilson RSRF Royal Society University Research Fellow, Edinburgh University, one of Britain's most acclaimed geneticists and television personality, currently lθading groundbreaking research into highest incidence of MS in the world in tht Orkney and Shetland Islands.
James S. Wilson (b.1971) Youngest son of of Terence & Pamela. IT/Marketing Manager, Leisure & Travel, Sudbury, Essex, and society photographer.
James "Tama Jim" Wilson Scottish-born United States politician who served as United States Secretary of Agriculture for sixteen years during three presidencies, from 1897 to 1913. He holds the record as the longest-serving US Cabinet member.

John Wilson could be:
  1. John Wilson, (c.1595–1674), composer and lutenist,
  2. John Wilson, (c.1627-1696) Minor English Restoration Playright,
  3. John Wilson, (1741–1793) English mathematician. Discovered theorem from Ibn al-Haytham, 'Wilson's Theorem',
  4. John Wilson, (1785-1854) Scottish writer alias Christopher North, "Noctes Ambrosianae",
  5. John Wilson, (d.1889) UK Poet,
  6. Sir John Wilson, 1st Baronet (1844–1918) Businessman, Unionist politician in Scotland. Chairman of the Wilsons and Clyde Coal Company, Member of Parliament (1895-1906),
  7. John Wilson, a.k.a. Richard John McMoran Moran Wilson, 2nd Baron Moran KCMG (b.1924) British soldier, sailor, and diplomat. Remaining hereditary member of the House of Lords following the passing of the House of Lords Act (1999). Son of the 1st Baron Moran and Dorothy Dufton, he was educated at Eton College in Berkshire and King's College, Cambridge, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in history. Wilson served in the Royal Naval Reserve from 1943 to 1945; first as Ordinary Seaman on HMS Belfast, later Sub-Lieutenant on Motor Torpedo Boats, and Destroyer HMS Oribi,
  8. John Wilson, (b.1943), English angler and BBC Television personality,
  9. John Wilson, (b.1972) conductor, arranger, and scholar. Internationally recognised expert in the specialist fields of light music, jazz and music for screen,
  10. John Appleton Wilson, (1851–1927) Together with cousin, William Thomas Wilson, formed partnership, J.A. & W.T. Wilson, Architects. Designed Eastside of Belvidere Terrace, McKim House, USA,
  11. John Cook Wilson, (1849–1915), English philosopher,
  12. John Dover Wilson, (1881–1969) Cambridge professor and scholar of Renaissance literature before becoming Regius Professor of English literature at the University of Edinburgh,
  13. John Burgess Wilson, (1917–1993) English author, poet, playwright, accomplished musician, composer, linguist, translator and critic. Author of "A Clockwork Orange" adapted for film (1971) by Stanley Kubrick,
  14. John Carl David Wilson, (1955–2006), known as Back Alley John, Canadian blues singer, songwriter and harmonica player,
  15. John H Wilson, (1774-1855) Watercolour artist,
  16. John James Wilson RA (1818-1875) artist,
  17. John Marius Wilson, author of The Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales,
  18. John P Wilson, (1923–2007), Irish politician,
  19. John Richard Montague Wilson, (1914-1988) English footballer. Played for West Bromwich Albion, Port Vale, Wigan, and Shrewsbury Town,
  20. John Walter Wilson, (1901-1975) Sheffield cutler and 'Little Mester', angler, father of Terence Wilson.
Joseph Wilson (b.1809) inherited Wilson's bottom mill, Sheffield, the water-wheel which became Wilsons & Co. (Sharrow) Ltd. established 1737 producing the Sharrow range of nasal snuff. (Namesake of my great-great grandfather born the same year).
K-M
Kathleen Mary Ferrier-Wilson, CBE (22 April 1912 – 8 October 1953) English contralto who achieved an international reputation as a stage, concert and recording artist Repertoire extending from folksong and popular ballads to Bach, Brahms, Mahler and Elgar. She met Albert Wilson in 1933, the couple divorced in 1947. Her premature death from cancer, at the height of her fame, shocked the music world and her public.
Louis Dicken Wilson (1789–1847), North Carolina politician and general in the United States Army who served in the General Assembly of North Carolina and the North Carolina Senate in various terms between 1814 and 1846. The city of Wilson, N. Carolina with a population of 50,652, is named after him. Marie Wilson Hollywood film actress, "Babes in Toyland", "Broadway Musketeers".
Mary Wilson (subject of a painting by John Everett Millais c1871), Martyr and member of the Free Church of Scotland who refused to recognise the established Church. Mary and her friend were condemned to death by drowning in 1685 by being chained to rocks on the Solway Firth. It is said that as the tide rose she defiantly quoted and sang from scripture. Witnesses described how her red hair floated around her head like a halo in the clear water.
Mary Wilson (b.March 6 1944). Motown singer in 'The Supremes'.
Nancy Wilson (born February 20, 1937) American singer with more than 70 albums, and three Grammy Awards. A singer of blues, jazz, cabaret and pop; a "consummate actress"; and "the complete entertainer."
Phillp Wilson could be:
  1. Phil Wilson, former English footballer,
  2. Phil Wilson, Irish hurler,
  3. Phillip Sanford Wilson (8 September 1941–1992), American jazz drummer,
  4. Phil Wilson, American singer,
  5. Phil Wilson, American jazz trombonist and educator,
  6. Phil Wilson, British Labour MP for Sedgefield,
  7. Phil Wilson, Secretary of State of Texas (2007–2008), or
  8. Philip Wilson, Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide, Australia.
Philip Wilson Steer Artist known for his landscapes, such as 'The Beach at Walberswick' (1890). A founders of the New English Art Club (1886); a leader (with Walter Sickert) of the English Impressionist movement.
R
Richard Wilson RA (c.1713-1782) Welsh Romantic landscape artist and draftsman.
Richard Wilson Film director "Al Capone", "Raw Wind in Eden".
Iain Colquhoun Richard Wilson (b1936) Born Greenock, Scotland. TV comedy-actor/director playing the cantankerous Victor Meldrew in 'One Foot In The Grave' where "I don't believe it!" became his well-known catchphrase.
Robert B. Wilson AB MBA American economist and Adams Distinguished Professor of Management, known for research and teaching on market design, pricing, negotiation, and related topics. Emeritus Professor of Economics at Stanford University.
Robert Wilson (1907-1964) one of the finest lyric tenors and most influential singers of his generation.
Robert Rathburn Wilson (1914–2000) American nuclear physicist ln the Manhattan Project. Sculptor, and architect.
Ronald Wilson Reagan(1911-2004) 40th President of the United States (1981–89). 33rd Governor of California (1967–75), and a radio, film and television actor.
Roy Wilson (1900-1965} artist.
S-W
Sandy Wilson (1924-?) Playright, "The Boy Friend".
Dr. Samuel A Kinnier Wilson (1878-1937) Neurologist. Discovered Wilson's Syndrome an inherited disease. An eminent neurologist, Wilson worked at the National Hospital, Queen Square, London. Discovered the body's inability to deal with copper in the diet.
Samuel Wilson (b.1766-d.1854) Troy, New York state. Personification and source of of USA's "Uncle Sam" poster.
Sarah Wilson (b.1962) Daughter of Terence & Pamela, chief executive officer, Manifest Voting Agency, and spokeswoman for corporate governance on UK television, Channel 4.
Scott Wilson Film actor starred in "The Great Gatsby".
Scottie Wilson (1891-1972), born Louis Freeman, in the forefront of 20th century Scottish 'outsider' artists known for his highly detailed work admired by other artists such as Jean Dubuffet and Pablo Picasso. In 1945 he emigrated to Toronto, Canada. In the 1960s, he designed plates for Royal Worcester. In 1970 Scottie's picture, ‘Bird Song’ was chosen by UNICEF for their Christmas Card.
Teddy (Theodore Shaw) Wilson (1912-1986) US bandleader and jazz pianist whose sophisticated and elegant style was featured on the records of many of the biggest names in jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.
Thomas E. Wilson (1868-1958) founder of Wilson Sporting Goods and Wilson & Co. meat products. In 1917 he turned a failing company into the 3rd largest meat-packing company in the USA and one of 50 largest industrial corporations in America. Running the Ashland Manufacturing Company, using animal by-products to make tennis-racket strings, he renamed the company the Thomas E. Wilson Company and aggressively marketed the business now famous internationally as Wilson Sporting Goods.
Thomas Wilson (1525-1581) Elizabethan politian, Writer.
Thomas Wilson (1663-1755) UK Clergyman, Writer.
Thomas Walter Wilson artist painted "The Lawn at Goodwood" (1886).
Thomas Woodrow-Wilson Democratic President USA (1856-1924).
William A. Wilson (c.1801-1836) artist.
See also William Wilson at Wikipedia.




Last edited February 2013. ©Terence Wilson MMIX