Edward Adrian Wilson Statue - Long Gardens, Cheltenham, UK
N 51° 53.917 W 002° 04.687
30U E 563429 N 5750163
This statue, to Edward Adrian Wilson, is towards the south western end of Long Gardens. He died, along with Captain Scott, in March 1912 on the Great Ice Barrier in the Antarctic.
Waymark Code: WMKH3H
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/14/2014
Views: 7
The inscription, on the plinth of the statue, reads:
Edward Adrian Wilson
BA MB CANTAB FZS
Borin in Cheltenham 1872
Chief of the scientific staff
artist and zoologist of the
British Antartic Expedition
1910 - 1913
He reached the South Pole
January 17 1912
and died with Capt Scott
on the Great Ice Barrier
March 1912
"He died as he lived. A brave
true man, the best of
comrades and staunchest
of friends" (letter from Capt Scott)
The Edward Wilson website tells us:
Dr. Edward Wilson (1872-1912) is one of the most famous native sons of Cheltenham. He was an influential figure of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, being chiefly remembered today as the artistic scientist who died with Captain Scott.
Dr. Edward Adrian Wilson BA, MB (Cantab.), FZS was born in Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham on 23 July 1872. He was educated at Cheltenham College, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and St. George's Hospital, London, becoming a highly regarded self-taught artist and field naturalist. Contracting tuberculosis from his mission work in London slums, he nevertheless recovered to be appointed as the Assistant Surgeon and Vertebrate Zoologist to the British National Antarctic Expedition (1901-1904) aboard Discovery, under Commander Robert Falcon Scott. Upon return he was appointed Field Observer to the Grouse Disease Inquiry and illustrated wildlife books. In 1910 he returned to the Antarctic with Captain Scott aboard Terra Nova as Chief of the Scientific Staff. He died with his comrades on the return from the South Pole in 1912.