Photographer. Born in Alvah, Banffshire, second son of 11 children. Educated in the local school but aged 12 was apprenticed to a local carpenter, during which time he developed his interest in art. He moved to Edinburgh, then in 1849 in London became a pupil of Edward H Corbould. He returned to Aberdeen to work as a portrait miniaturist. By 1853 he had developed an interest in photography and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to record the progress of the building of Balmoral on Deeside. He gained acclaim at the 1862 International Exhibition in London which boosted the sales of his photographs. In Aberdeen between 1868 and 1869, with David Gill they took the first photograph of the moon, though Wilson was better known for his photographs of landscapes, buildings and people. The University of Aberdeen holds the George Washington Wilson Collection.
Photographer. Born in Alvah, Banffshire, second son of 11 children. Educated in the local school but aged 12 was apprenticed to a local carpenter, during which time he developed his interest in art. He moved to Edinburgh, then in 1849 in London became a pupil of Edward H Corbould. He returned to Aberdeen to work as a portrait miniaturist. By 1853 he had developed an interest in photography and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to record the progress of the building of Balmoral on Deeside. He gained acclaim at the 1862 International Exhibition in London which boosted the sales of his photographs. In Aberdeen between 1868 and 1869, with David Gill they took the first photograph of the moon, though Wilson was better known for his photographs of landscapes, buildings and people. The University of Aberdeen holds the George Washington Wilson Collection.
Bio by: GariochGraver
Inscription
In loving memory of
GEORGE WASHINGTON WILSON,
Artist and Photographer,
Born at Alvah, Banffshire 9th Feb 1823,
Died at Aberdeen 9th Mar 1893.
MARIA ANNE CASSIE, his wife,
Born at Oyne 30th Apr 1827,
Died at Aberdeen 10th Nov 1912.
GEORGE RAE WILSON,
Their eldest son,
Born 2nd June 1855,
Died 24th May 1906.
MARY JEAN WASHINGTON WILSON
their eldest daughter
Born 13th Nov 1850
Died 30th April 1930.
RHS:
LAURA E WILSON
Their third daughter
Born 20th Nov 1862
Died 28th Dec 1942.
Family Members
See more Wilson memorials in:
Plant Memorial Tree
