Product Description

Edward Adrian Wilson is perhaps the most famous native son of Cheltenham. In the early years of the 20th century, he was one of the major influences and personalities of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and has also been recognised as one of the top ranking ornithologists and naturalists in the UK during this period. He was also one of the last great scientific expedition artists. This is the illustrated story of polar explorer Edward Wilson, from his boyhood in Cheltenham to the diaries and letters associated with his last days as a member of Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition. All the royalties from this book will benefit the Wilson Collection Fund at the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museums.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #516855 in Books
• Published on: 2000-12-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 150 pages

Customer Reviews

A superb account of one of Britain's greatest explorers
Anyone interested in Antarctica will be totally fascinated by this little book on Edward Wilson. Written by his great-nephew, it is the first biography to be published in over 50 years and includes previously unpublished family photos as well as beautiful reproductions of several of Wilson's paintings. Drawing on family archives, it reveals how this extraordinarily brave and compassionate man came to be Captain Scott's closest friend and one of the truly great names in the history of Antarctica. It includes fresh information on his early life and family background as well as publishing in full for the first time his last poignant letter to his wife as he and Scott lay dying on the Great Ice Barrier on their return from the South Pole. Readers interested in visiting sites around Cheltenham connected with him can follow a series of walks described at the back of the book.

A Great Man
"Words must always fail me when I talk of Bill Wilson. I believe he really is the finest character I have ever met." - Captain Scott.

Edward Wilson (or known to the men as "Uncle Bill" because of his warm personality) was the very soul of Captain Scotts Antarctic expeditions. He was the Doctor, Artist, Chief of Scientific Staff, Naturalist and Geologist as well as Captain Scott's confidant and guide. Scott never made a decision without consulting Wilson for sound advice, Ernest Shackleton who also sledged with him begged Wilson to join his own expedition, so highly was Wilson esteemed.

Wilson as well as being a brilliant scientist, artist and naturalist was also the man in the background, quietly getting things done, without fuss, utterly hardworking, fearless, unselfish with a boundless optimism and excellent judgement. Captain Scott said "the closer one gets to him the more there is to admire. Every quality is so solid and dependable. Whatever the matter one knows that Bill will be sound, shewdly practicable, intensly loyal and quite unselfish." It is unfortunate that by his very selfless nature Wilson has been confined to the background of history and has never been given the recogntion he deserves.

Wilson along with Scott and Bowers died together on the return journey from the pole, only 11 miles from safety, after having pulled 200lb sledges in the snow for over a 1000 miles, through blizzards and in -30C of frost bitting temperatures, all this on half the daily food calorie intake deemed essential today. Throughout the journey and to the end Bill sacrificed himself many times so that others were helped and comforted. This book gives an insight how Uncle Bill thought and reveals a wonderful character, unassuming, tolerant and utterly brave.

Readers may have found this book on Wilson by reading fellow expedition member Aspley Cherry Gerrards "The Worst Journey in the World" and it is true that Cherrys book really should be read first. It shows Uncle Bill in all his shinning goodness and make you want to know what made such a great man tick. It was Cherry who said "you couldnt like Bill, you simply had to love him".

There is so much to learn of Wilsons character, ideals and philosphy of life that this book together with George Seaver's biography is just the start. His personal writings and thoughts are profoundly moving and admirable, he was a deeply spritual man and importantly put his ideas of humanity, goodness and self sacrifice into action, proving them so superbly down in the South. He still inspires by his example and any reader will find themselves touched by his words and deeds.

Read and learn. This forgotten great man is up there with the very best.