James Wilson (March 15, 1763 – March 26, 1855) was the first maker of globes in the United States.
James Wilson | |
|---|---|
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| Born | March 15, 1763 |
| Died | March 26, 1855 (aged 92) |
| Occupation | Globe maker |
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Biography edit
James Wilson was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire on March 15, 1763, the son of James Wilson and Elanor (Hopkins) Wilson.[1] Wilson was raised and educated in Londonderry, farmed with his father, and trained as a blacksmith.[1] He moved to Bradford, Vermont in 1796, became interested in cartography, and taught himself map making.[1] Though he had little formal education, he purchased an encyclopedia to learn geography, learned techniques for engraving, and began making maps with the intention of producing classroom aids for schoolchildren.[1]
When he visited Dartmouth College's European globe collection, Wilson was inspired by a pair of terrestrial and celestial globes.[1] He left determined to create his own, and produced a heavy wooden sphere covered with ink drawings on paper.[1] Though this first attempt was too heavy and took too long to produce for it to be commercially feasible, Wilson continued look for ways to improve his product.[1] He sought out experts in copper engraving, including Amos Doolittle, in order to master their art.[2]
In 1813, Wilson opened the first geographic globe factory in the United States and sold his initial 13 inch globe for $50.[1] The Wilson globes were widely successful, and Wilson expanded to production of sets of celestial and terrestrial globes in various sizes, materials and prices, including printed Papier-mâché, enabling them to be purchased inexpensively for use in schools and homes.[3] Wilson increased his production to meet demand, and in partnership with his sons he opened a second factory in Albany, New York.[3] Wilson remained active until he was over eighty, when he created a planetarium for the Thetford Academy.[3] The planetarium was well received, and he began offering them for sale.[3]
Wilson died in Bradford on March 26, 1855,[1] and was buried at Upper Plain Cemetery in Bradford.[4]
Family edit
Wilson was first married to Molly Highland, who died in 1786.[3] They were the parents of a son, James, who was born in 1785.[3] Wilson's second wife was Sarah Donaldson, with whom he was the father of 10 children, seven of whom lived to adulthood.[3] In 1805, Wilson married Agnes MacDuffee (1783–1875).[3] They were the parents of four children, three of who lived to adulthood.[3]
Legacy edit
Wilson's surviving globes are highly prized and can be found in libraries, museums and private collections.[5] The Bradford rest area on Interstate 91 contains a historical marker indicating where his home and workshop stood and commemorating his accomplishments.[6] The Bradford Historical Society Museum's collections include an 1810 Wilson Globe in a custom-made case, which was created by Bradford's Copeland Furniture Company.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i White, James Terry (1921). The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. J.T. White. pp. 102–103 – via Google Books.
- ^ Haskins, Harold Webb (October 1959). "James Wilson - Globe Maker" (PDF). Vermont History. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Historical Society. p. 323.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "James Wilson, Biographical/Historical". James Wilson Papers. Burlington, VT: Silver Special Collections Library, University of Vermont. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Upper Plain Cemetery, Bradford". voca58.org. Rutland, VT: Vermont Old Cemetery Association. 2022. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Graff, Nancy Price (June 8, 2014). "In This State: Geography – 'the why of where'". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Craft, Kevin (September 1, 2015). "Bradford: James Wilson, Globe Maker". HMDB.org. Historical Marker Database. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Coffin, Larry (January 18, 2010). "Bradford Celebrates Wilson Globe Bicentennial". In Times Past. Bradford, VT: Bradford Historical Society. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
External links edit
