John Wilson (1800–1849) was a Scottish singer born in Edinburgh’s Canongate. His family did well enough to move to the new town: 4 South Princes Street, immediately next door to Edinburgh’s Theatre Royal.
John Wilson could sing: he wowed all those who heard him!
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John’s working career began with the Ballantyne brothers, where he helped to set up typeface for the Waverley Novels.
In March 1830 John Wilson appeared in Edinburgh at the Theatre Royal as Harry Bertram in Guy Mannering.
In 1842 John Wilson sang for Queen Victoria at Taymouth castle
John Wilson died of cholera at Quebec on 8 July 1849. He is buried there in the Mount Vernon Cemetery.
John Wilson published an edition of The Songs of Scotland, as sung by him; 1842 in 3 volumes.
A lovely voice is a lovely voice. It would be a mistake to confuse this with wider themes such as nationhood.
