Wilson, Robert, 1867-1946

Robert Wilson was born in Statesburg, SC on August 23, 1867 to Reverend Robert Wilson, MD and Ann Jane Shand. He grew up in Easton, MD and came to Charleston in 1884, where he studied at the College of Charleston, later earning his A.B. Degree at South Carolina College in 1887, and graduating from the Medical College of the State of South Carolina in 1892. After graduating, he served at MCSSC as Adjunct Professor of Bacteriology from 1901 to 1903, and was appointed to Professor of Medicine in 1904. Wilson was appointed Dean of the Medical College of South Carolina in 1908, and held this position until he resigned in 1943, at which time he became Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Medicine. During his career, Wilson published various articles on medical education, prominent figures in medical history, yellow fever, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, malaria, heart disease and hypertension. He also served as the first bacteriologist in the City of Charleston, chairman of the State Board of Health, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Charleston Museum, and as president of the Medical Society of South Carolina. He was married to Harriet Chisolm Cain of Pinopolis, SC on November 27, 1895, with whom he had a daughter, Harriet, and two sons, Robert and James. Wilson died in Roper Hospital on May 20, 1946 and was buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston.