Professor Thomas Wilson was born on the 23rd of June, 1916, in Northern Ireland. He began his studies at Queen's University, Belfast, then later moved on to the London School of Economics.
He worked in the Ministries of Economic Warfare and Aircraft Production in 1940 - 1942, and he also worked in the Prime Minister's Statistical Branch during the Second World War between 1942 and 1945. He was also awarded an OBE in 1945. After the war, Wilson attended Oxford University as a Fellow of University College between 1946 and 1958, but he also acted as a Faculty Fellow of Nuffield College between the years 1950 - 1958. Wilson also acted as an Editor for the Oxford Economic Papers during his time here.
Professor Wilson was the Adam Smith Chair of Political Economy at the University of Glasgow after his time at Oxford, from 1958 until 1985. During his tenure of the Adam Smith Chair, Wilson also sat on various Government committees, such as the Scottish Council's Committee of Inquiry into the Scottish Economy in 1960- 1961. He also acted as an economic consultant to the Government of Northern Ireland in 1964- 1965, and again in 1968- 1970, but also to the Secretary of State for Scotland in 1963- 1964 and for an extended period between 1970 and 1983. After his post at the University, Professor Wilson continued to publish on issues including 'The State and Social Welfare' (1991).
Professor Thomas Wilson passed away in late July 2001.
From the guide to the Papers of Professor Thomas Wilson, 1916-2001, Adam Smith Professor of Political Economy, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1997-1999, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
