'He Went About Doing Good'

Dr. Edward Thomas Wilson's life reveals a remarkable yet overlooked figure in Victorian and Edwardian Britain. While overshadowed by his son, the Antarctic explorer, and his heroic brother, he was a municipal pioneer who advanced modern medical practices, such as isolation fever hospitals and district nursing. His contributions to science and art included establishing a local museum and promoting education through libraries and the School of Art. This biography, based on unpublished materials, highlights his significant impact on Cheltenham's intellectual life and his legacy as a quiet hero.