William R.A. Wilson

DR. WILLIAM R.A. WILSON – Son of Washington, IL

It was Chapter Two of The Rose of Normandy that caught my attention—his style of writing equals any modern-day superhero format. In part, as Tonti (the first main character) entered, an apparition appeared before him.

 “The figure was a little over five feet and the features were small and sharp with the look of mingled cunning.  The mouth was large and the lower jaw seemed to hang like a half shut door and revealed three glistening fangs that resembled more those of a wolf than human teeth while saliva dropped incessantly from the corners of the mouth down the chin.  The ears of unusual size originally had been clipped so only the lower two thirds remained.  The eyes were most remarkable of all – a curious shade of gray which changed expression according to the mood of the owner.  They gleamed alternately with mad fires of the hopeless maniac and again with the all but quenched rays of reason of an idiot.” 

This is an introduction to this novel's second main and oddly redeemable character, which received accolades from the Boston Herald: “The plot is new, situations are dramatic, and tale exudes flavor of Dumas and Gilbert Parker.”

Dr. William R.A. Wilson was the son of Dr. R.B. and Mrs. Wilson of Washington, IL.  R.B. was a pioneer physician in Tazewell County.  Their son William was born here in 1870, received his undergraduate degree from Williams College, and went on to the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University.  He married Amelia Barnes of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1897.  After practicing medicine in Peoria, IL, he semi-retired due to ill health and took to writing.  He traveled extensively in America and Europe, contributing his literary skills to magazines while publishing two best-selling novels – the one previously mentioned and A Knot in Blue. In 1903, he and Amelia settled in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where they made lifelong friends and relationships.  

In the obituary article from the Berkshire Eagle, May 15, 1911, the paper states Wilson held a winning personality and charm, was widely read and cultured, original in thought, and had sane judgment.  He was devout in his Christian work and belief and was a generous citizen.  Dr. Wilson succumbed to his extended illness after a life of usefulness at the age of 40 at his home.  (A telegram was sent to Washington News, and that article stated on May 16 that he was 35 years old and his wife’s name was Emma).  Telegrams were often handwritten, so mistakes were not uncommon.

This is simply another example of how small towns raise exemplary, worldly, and influential citizens.