The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Wilson, Hon. John Bowie
Wilson, Hon. John Bowie, third son of the Rev. John Wilson, D.D., was born at Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, on June 17th, 1820, and educated at Irvine and at the Edinburgh and Aberdeen Universities. He arrived in Australia in June 1840, and in 1859 was elected to the New South Wales Parliament for the Southern Goldfields, being afterwards returned for Patrick's Plains and East Sydney. Mr. Wilson was Secretary for Lands in the Martin Ministry from Oct. 1863 to Feb. 1865, and under the same premier from Jan. 1866 to Oct. 1868, and Dec. 1870 to May 1872. Mr. Wilson distinguished himself by his efforts to secure parks and recreation grounds for the people of Sydney. He died April 30th, 1883.