Andrew Wilson (zoologist)

Dr Andrew Wilson FRSE (30 September 1852–25 August 1912) was a 19th/20th century Scottish zoologist, physiologist and author.

Dr. Andrew Wilson, ca. 1892. Author of the Science Jottings column of the Illustrated London News^[1]

Life

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, in 1909

In 1879 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were John Young, Alexander Dickson, John Gray McKendrick and John Hutton Balfour.^[3]

The grave of Andrew Wilson FRSE Morningside Cemetery

He died on 25 August 1912 North Berwick of heart disease.^[5][6] He is buried with his mother in Morningside Cemetery, Edinburgh. His grave lies in the southmost row, east of the southern entrance.

Publications

• Elements of Zoology (1873)
• Sketches of Animal Life and Habits (1877)
• Leisure Time Studies (1879)
• Leaves from a Naturalist's Handbook (1882)
• Facts and Fictions of Zoology (1882)
• Chapters on Evolution (1883)
• Nature Studies (1883)
• Wild Animals and Birds (1884)
• Science and Crime (1887)
• Science and Poetry (1888)
• Glimpses of Nature (1891)
• Studies in Life and Sense (1898)
• The Light Side of Science (1898)
• Brain and Body (1900)
• How to Keep Well (1907)
• Physiology (1910)
• The Modern Physician (1910)

He was a contributor to the 9th edition of Encyclopedia Britannica^[7]

References

1. "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."
2. Grave of Andrew Wilson, Morningside Cemetery, Edinburgh
3. Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
4. Edinburgh Post Office Directories 1890 to 1910
5. "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.
6. "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.
7. "Andrew Wilson - Wikisource, the free online library". The Zoologist. 3. 1 (11): 503–504. Retrieved 26 May 2019.