Wilson, James, 1948-

Epithet: of York

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x000331

Epithet: subject of Wolley Ch xi.67

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Epithet: surveyor

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Epithet: of Blackrock, county Dublin

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x00032f

The politician and political economist James Wilson was born in Hawick, Scotland, on 3 June 1805. He was educated at Quaker schools at Ackworth, near Pontefract, and at Earl's Colne, Essex, before being apprenticed to a Hawick hat-maker. He continued to study after work and became interested in politics and statistics. With the help of his father he went into business along with his brother and they both moved to London. By 1844 he had retired, and some of his published work had begun to make him well-known, particularly Influences of the corn-laws as affecting all classes of the community (1839). His work influenced Cobden and the success of the anti-corn-law movement. Influential too was his Fluctuations of currency, commerce, and manufactures (1840). In 1843, Wilson invested most of his capital into a financial and commercial paper which is still known today as the Economist . It advocated the repeal of the corn laws and supported the cause of free trade, and it had the help of the free-trader Lord Radnor. Other publications include The revenue, or what shall the Chancellor do? (1841), and Capital, currency and banking (1847). Radnor encouraged Wilson to stand for Parliament in 1847 and he won the seat of the Borough of Westbury, Wiltshire, which he held again in 1852. In 1853, he was Secretary to the Treasury in Lord Aberdeen's administration. From 1857 he represented Devonport in Parliament, and in 1859, under Lord Palmerston, he was Vice-President of the Board of Control. That same year the Council of India was formed and Wilson was offered the post of financial member on the Council. In India, he introduced import duties and taxes and established a paper currency. He also reformed the system of public accounting. The climate however did not suit him and by August 1860 he was dead. James Wilson died in Calcutta on 11 August 1860.

From the guide to the Letters of James Wilson (1805-1860), 1850-1855, (Edinburgh University Library)

Epithet: trade union official

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Epithet: Scottish barrister

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x000337

Epithet: Presbyterian minister at Kirkinriola

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Epithet: Surgeon, RN

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x000338

Epithet: agent at Cadiz

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x00032a

Epithet: of Tangier

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James Wilson (1805-60) was a politician and economist.

From the guide to the Correspondence of James Wilson and family, 1840-1924, (University of Oxford, Bodleian Library)