Old Photograph Low Street Banff Scotland

Old photograph of shops, houses, people and fountain on Low Street in Banff, Scotland. Sir James Milne Wilson was born in Banff on 29 February 1812, the third son of John Wilson, a shipowner, and his wife, Barbara Gray; maternal grandson of Alexander Gray and wife, Jean Bean. He was Educated at Banff and Edinburgh, he then emigrated to Tasmania in 1829, studied practical engineering and afterwards became a ship's officer. He was connected with the Cascade Brewery for 14 years and became its manager. He entered politics in October 1859 as member for Hobart in the legislative council, and in January 1863 joined the Whyte cabinet as minister without portfolio. In 1868, at the time of the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, Wilson was Mayor of Hobart and on 4 August 1869 became Premier and colonial secretary in a ministry which lasted until November 1872. In 1847, he married Deborah Hope, daughter of Peter Degraves. He was elected President of the Tasmanian Legislative Council, and held this position until his death on 29 February 1880, on his " 17th " birthday aged 68. He achieved the extremely rare feat of being both born on 29 February, making him a leapling, and dying on the same date at the age of 68.



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