Wilson, James

James (1742-1798), an American statesman and jurist. He was born in Scotland and was educated at the universities of St. Andrews, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. He emigrated to Philadelphia in 1765. For a time he taught in the University of Pennsylvania. He then took up the practice of law. In the stirring times of the Revolution Wilson was a prominent figure. He was a member of the Pennsylvania provincial convention and of the Continental Congress. He was a strong advocate of the Declaration of Independence and was one of the signers of that memorable instrument. He served in the army as well, rising to the grade of brigadier-general. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and was one of the most influential men in that body. It is claimed that in foresight and logical ability he had no superior in the convention. He was influential in securing the adoption of the Constitution by the people of his state. He was a Federalist with unbounded faith in the people. Washington appointed him one of the justices of the new supreme court.

Although Justice Wilson was an orator and jurist of commanding ability, comprehensive view, and well seasoned judgment, his name is not prominent in the encyclopedias of the day. His career is a curious illustration of the fickleness of public favor. In 1906 President Roosevelt, casting about for national authority to deal with the trusts, said in a public address, "I cannot do better than base my theory of governmental action upon the words and deeds of one of Pennsylvania's greatest sons, Justice James Wilson." A number of articles appeared shortly setting forth the eminent public services of James Wilson. The curious, going a little deeper to find why his memory had been so neglected, found that in his latter years Wilson became connected with a speculative land company, and that he had been charged by no less a person than Patrick Henry with having carried money in his pocket to bribe the legislators of Mississippi to grant lands to this company in the Yazoo Valley. The scandal that arose was so great that Justice Wilson dropped out of notice and ended his days in comparative obscurity. He died at Edenton, North Carolina. It now seems probable that the mistake of his life will be forgotten, and that he will be remembered for the good work that he did, especially in framing the Constitution. In 1906 the state of Pennsylvania brought his remains home and interred them publicly in Philadelphia.