WILSON, Dr George, was born at Edinburgh in 1818, and was educated at the High School and University of his native town. He was destined for the medical profession, and completed his medical education, and took his degree, but never practised. Disqualified by lameness for active pursuits, he devoted himself to the study of science and literature; and his easy transparent style, command of illustration, and ability and neatness as an experimenter, made him a favourite lecturer on chemistry, a post which he held for a number of years in one of the extra-academic institutions in Edinburgh for the study of medicine. In chemistry, as applied to the arts and manufactures, he was peculiarly well versed, and was therefore admirably qualified for the chair of Technology, which, on its first institution in the University of Edinburgh, was at once conferred on him. This office he held in combination with the curatorship of the Industrial Museum, formed in the Scottish metropolis, under the auspices of government, and which owes so much of its completeness and order to the skill and knowledge of the accomplished hand which superintended its formation. Dr Wilson continued to hold these offices till his death, which happened prematurely and unexpectedly in November 1859, when he had only reached his forty-first year. Besides the fame which his skill as a chemist and his ability as a lecturer are likely to secure him, Dr Wilson has left many contributions to every department of literature, which will long sustain his reputation. He even ventured into the domains of poetry, and both Blackwood's and Macmillan's Magazine have been at various times enriched with his poetical effusions, which possess little strength indeed, but are pleasing, graceful, and melodious. To scientific literature he contributed, among other works which we have not space to enumerate, an excellent Text-Book of Chemistry, forming part of Chambers's Educational Course; curious Researches on Colour Blindness, a subject which he was the first to investigate systematically; and a pleasing treatise on the senses under the ingenious name of The Five Gateways of Knowledge. He was also the author of an excellent Life of Cavendish, and of a large number of scientific papers in various magazines and reviews.