The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Wilson, Hon. Sir James Milne
Wilson, Hon. Sir James Milne, Knt., M.L.C., sometime Premier of Tasmania, third son of John Wilson, of Banff, N.B., was born on March 9th, 1812, and emigrated to Tasmania in 1829. He was elected to the Legislative Council for Hobart Town in 1859. He was a member of the Whyte Ministry without portfolio from Jan. 1863, when he was sworn of the Executive Council, until Nov. 1866. Three years later he became Premier, and held office as Colonial Secretary from August 1869 to Nov. 1872, when he became President of the Legislative Council, a post which he held till Feb. 1880. Sir James, who married in 1847 Deborah Hope, third daughter of Peter Degraves, of Cascade, Hobart Town, was field officer in command of the Tasmanian Volunteers in 1860, received the Queen's permission to bear the title of Honourable within the colony in 1866, and was knighted in 1873. He died at Hobart on March 9th, 1880, the 68th anniversary of his birthday.