Wilson, GEORGE, M.D., chemist, was born at Edinburgh, a younger brother of Sir Daniel Wilson, 21st February 1818. He attended the High School and university, was licensed as lecturer on chemistry in the Edinburgh College of Surgeons, afterwards became a popular lecturer on chemistry in the School of Arts and in the Veterinary College, and in 1855 was appointed professor of Technology in Edinburgh University. In conjunction with this office he was Regius Director of the Industrial Museum of Scotland, an institution which owes much of its completeness and order to his knowledge and skill. He died 22d November 1859. 'His great quality,' says Dr John Brown, 'lay in making men love ascertained and recorded truth, scientific truth especially; he made his reader and hearer enjoy facts. He illuminated the book of nature as the monks did the missals of old.'
Amongst his scientific works were Text-book of Chemistry (1850), in Chambers's Educational Course; Researches in Colour-blindness (1855); and The Five Gateways of Knowledge (1856), a delightful hymn or prose-poem of science. Other works were the Life of Caven-dish (1851); the Life of Dr John Reid (1852); and (along with Geikie) the Memoir of Edward Forbes (1861). A volume of his letters on religious subjects, with preface by Dr Cairns, was published as Counsels of an Invalid (1862), and a volume of essays, Religio Chemici (1862). There is a Memoir by his sister (new ed. 1862).