Wilson was born in Edinburgh on 30 September 1852, the son of Francis Wilson and Margaret Wilson, née Spears (1810–1883).[2] He appears to have been the great nephew of the Edinburgh zoologist James Wilson. He was educated at Dollar Academy then the Royal High School, Edinburgh.[3] He studied science and medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with an MB around 1872.
At the University of Edinburgh he was both the Combe lecturer and Gilchrist lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, covering zoology and comparative anatomy. He lived the last 20 years of his life at 110 Gilmore Place in south-west Edinburgh.[4]
"Dr. Andrew Wilson dead". Vol.XLIII, no.205. Aukland Star. 27 August 1912. p.5. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023. Dr. Andrew Wilson dead. (Received 11.15 am.) LONDON, August 26. The death is announced of Dr. Andrew Wilson. Dr. Andrew Wilson, Ph.D., M.B., F.R.S.E., F.L.S., was one of the best known medical journalists in Britain. He was born in Edinburgh nearly sixty years ago, and was educated at the Edinburgh University where, at the age of 24, he became lecturer on zoology and comparative anatomy. He had unusual gifts of expression, and his clever handling of abstruse subjects made them quite clear to the least technical, his papers on health, which appeared in "Science Jottings" and 'lloyds'" newspapers being widely read. He was formerly editor of "Health," and later became an examiner in the Faculty of Medicine at Glasgow University. His works include "Studies in Life and Sense," "Science Stories," "A Manual of Health-Science," "Chapters on Evolution," and "The 'Modern Physician."
"Dr. Andrew Wilson". The Times. London. 26 August 1912. p.9. Retrieved 26 February 2023. Dr. Andrew Wilson, lecturer on Physiology and Health to the George Combe Trust and Gilchrist Trust Lecturer, died suddenly at North Berwick last night of heart disease. Dr. Wilson was born in Edinburgh in September. 1852:. He was educated at the Dollar Institution, Edinburgh Royal High School, and Edinburgh University. In 1876 he was appointed lecturer at the Edinburgh Medical School on zoology and comparative anatomy, and on these and kindred subjects he wrote a number of books and contributed largely to magazines.
"Dr. Andre Wilson". The Daily Telegraph. 27 August 1912. p.12. Retrieved 26 February 2023. Dr Wilson's health had not been good but the end came suddenly from a cardiac affection. ... He had in fact lectured on popular scientific subjects in all parts of the United Kingdom and in many places on the Continent Not infrequently he had delivered addresses on Sunday upon the Jewish Health Laws. ... In early davs Dr Wilson often appeared as an amateur actor. He leaves a widow and a daughter.
_Dr._Andrew_Wilson,_Science_Jottings.jpg)
