Born on 21 October 1873 at Calcutta, India, where his father James Wilson was professor of English literature; his mother's name before her marriage was Catherine Bayne McGregor. He was at school in Scotland, and took his medical training at Edinburgh University, graduating in 1898. After postgraduate study at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, he took the Fellowship in 1903, though not previously a Member of the College. Wilson emigrated to New Zealand and practised for many years at 14 Stout Street, Gisborne. He was twice married: (1) in 1907 to Florence Abbot, who died in 1942, survived by two sons and a daughter; (2) in 1942 to Gertrude Wilbow, who survived him. Late in life he crossed to Australia, and died at Eastwood, New South Wales, on 24 March 1947.