Author: Wilson, James
Biography:
WILSON, James (1779-1846: Biography of the Blind)
His life is known from his Autobiography of the Blind James Wilson although no records have been located to corroborate the date of his birth. He was the son of John Wilson, from Queensferry, Fife, and his wife Elizabeth Johnson. John Wilson had emigrated to Richmond VA to assist an uncle with his plantation; he married Elizabeth Johnson in Baltimore. On his uncle’s death he inherited the plantation but it was burned down during the revolutionary war when Wilson supported the British side. He was captured and became ill; on his release the family, including the infant James Wilson, embarked for England. Both parents died during the voyage and James contracted smallpox which left him blind. He was taken to Belfast where he was left with a foster family. Despite his blindness (at times he had at least some vision in one eye) he worked at delivering newspapers to subscribers to the Belfast Newsletter. He composed verses for acquaintances and was encouraged to collect his poems for publication. (The memoir refers to a publication earlier than his 1810 Poems and Songs but this has not been identified and located.) In about 1801 he entered the newly-founded Belfast Asylum for the Blind where he received training that enabled him to work as an upholsterer. On 27 Nov. 1802 he married; the name of his wife is not known but the couple had eleven children with four surviving to adulthood. An advocate for increased recognition of the contributions made to society by the blind, he wrote Biography of the Blind (1821) which went through many editions, some with variant titles. It includes a memoir of Wilson which identifies Henry Boyd (q.v.) as a friend and supporter. John Bird, a blind surgeon, edited his Autobiography (1856). Wilson died on 16 July 1846. (James Wilson and John Bird, Autobiography of the Blind James Wilson [1856]; Biography of the Blind [1821]; Belfast News-Letter 11 Aug. 1846) SR