Wilson was born in 1812 in Banff, Scotland; the third son of John Wilson, a shipowner, and his wife, Barbara Gray; maternal grandson of Alexander Gray and wife, Jean Bean (See Pedigree of Bean of Portsoy). Educated at Banff and Edinburgh, he emigrated to Tasmania in 1829, studied practical engineering and afterwards became a ship's officer. He was connected with the Cascade Brewery for 14 years and became its manager. He entered politics in October 1859 as member for Hobart in the legislative council, and in January 1863 joined the Whyte cabinet as minister without portfolio. In 1868, at the time of the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, Wilson was Mayor of Hobart and on 4 August 1869 became Premier and colonial secretary in a ministry which lasted until November 1872.
Anthony Trollope, who came to Australia in 1871, formed a high opinion of Wilson: "I thought I had not met a sounder politician in Australia... Victoria is desirous of annexing Tasmania. Perhaps when she has done so, Mr Wilson will become premier for the joint colonies, and then great things may be expected." In 1872, Wilson was elected President of the Tasmanian Legislative Council, and held this position until his death on 29 February 1880, on his "seventeenth" birthday aged 68.
In 1847, he married Deborah Hope, daughter of Peter Degraves. Lady Wilson survived him with children. He was knighted in 1873 and created K.C.M.G. in 1878. He was a man of unbounded popularity, well known for his charities. He was president of the Southern Tasmanian Agricultural Society and chairman of committees and president of the Tasmanian Jockey Club. As a politician Wilson showed wisdom in his advocacy of free-trade between the Australian colonies. Tasmania passed an intercolonial free trade act in 1870 during his premiership, but the question made no headway on the mainland.
In an extremely rare coincidence, he was born on 29 February (making him a leapling) and died on the same date at the age of 68.
james, milne, wilson, kcmg, february, 1812, february, 1880, served, premier, tasmania, from, 1869, 1872, sirkcmg8th, premier, tasmaniain, office, august, 1869, november, 1872preceded, bysir, richard, drysucceeded, byfrederick, innespersonal, detailsborn, 1812,. Sir James Milne Wilson KCMG 29 February 1812 29 February 1880 served as Premier of Tasmania from 1869 to 1872 SirJames Milne WilsonKCMG8th Premier of TasmaniaIn office 4 August 1869 4 November 1872Preceded bySir Richard DrySucceeded byFrederick InnesPersonal detailsBorn 1812 02 29 29 February 1812Banff Scotland UKDied29 February 1880 1880 02 29 aged 68 Hobart TasmaniaNationalityBritishBiography EditWilson was born in 1812 in Banff Scotland the third son of John Wilson a shipowner and his wife Barbara Gray maternal grandson of Alexander Gray and wife Jean Bean See Pedigree of Bean of Portsoy Educated at Banff and Edinburgh he emigrated to Tasmania in 1829 studied practical engineering and afterwards became a ship s officer He was connected with the Cascade Brewery for 14 years and became its manager He entered politics in October 1859 as member for Hobart in the legislative council and in January 1863 joined the Whyte cabinet as minister without portfolio In 1868 at the time of the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh Wilson was Mayor of Hobart and on 4 August 1869 became Premier and colonial secretary in a ministry which lasted until November 1872 Anthony Trollope who came to Australia in 1871 formed a high opinion of Wilson I thought I had not met a sounder politician in Australia Victoria is desirous of annexing Tasmania Perhaps when she has done so Mr Wilson will become premier for the joint colonies and then great things may be expected In 1872 Wilson was elected President of the Tasmanian Legislative Council and held this position until his death on 29 February 1880 on his seventeenth birthday aged 68 In 1847 he married Deborah Hope daughter of Peter Degraves Lady Wilson survived him with children He was knighted in 1873 and created K C M G in 1878 He was a man of unbounded popularity well known for his charities He was president of the Southern Tasmanian Agricultural Society and chairman of committees and president of the Tasmanian Jockey Club As a politician Wilson showed wisdom in his advocacy of free trade between the Australian colonies Tasmania passed an intercolonial free trade act in 1870 during his premiership but the question made no headway on the mainland In an extremely rare coincidence he was born on 29 February making him a leapling and died on the same date at the age of 68 References EditSerle Percival 1949 Wilson James Dictionary of Australian Biography Sydney Angus amp Robertson Wilson James Milne Members of the Parliament of Tasmania Retrieved 24 July 2022 Political officesPreceded bySir Richard Dry Premier of Tasmania1869 1872 Succeeded byFrederick InnesTasmanian Legislative CouncilPreceded byFrederick Innes President of the Tasmanian Legislative Council1872 1880 Succeeded byFrederick InnesPreceded byJohn Walker Member for Hobart1859 1880 Served alongside Carter Kennerley Agnew Horne Wedge Fysh Crowther Succeeded byAlexander McGregor Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Milne Wilson amp oldid 1144355396, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
