Herbert C. Wilson

The Honourable Herbert Charles Wilson
H. C. Wilson in 1895
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories
In office June 30, 1888 – November 7, 1891
Preceded by	Edgar Dewdney
Succeeded by	James H. Ross
2nd Mayor of Edmonton
In office January 14, 1895 – October 6, 1896
Preceded by	Matthew McCauley
Succeeded by	Cornelius Gallagher
Member of Territorial Council for Edmonton
In office September 15, 1885 – November 7, 1891
Preceded by	Frank Oliver
Succeeded by	Frank Oliver
Personal details
Born	(1859-12-07)December 7, 1859 Picton, Canada West
Died	December 17, 1909(1909-12-17) (aged 50) Edmonton, Alberta
Political party	Independent Conservative
Spouse(s)	Emily Charlotte Lee
Profession	physician
Signature

Herbert Charles Wilson (December 7, 1859 – December 17, 1909) was a Canadian politician and physician. He served as mayor of the Town of Edmonton and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories.

Wilson was born in 1859 in what would become the province of Ontario. The son of a manufacturer, Wilson's family had extensive business interests in the area of Picton, Ontario. Wilson studied medicine and moved to Edmonton in 1882, one of the first physicians to settle there. He was appointed to official medical positions and, for several years, owned a drugstore in town. He served as a consultant to First Nations reserves near Edmonton and also became a director of many local corporations. He was elected to the Territorial council in 1885, and soon became its speaker. During his speakership, he helped to change the council's rules and procedures. He left territorial politics after six years, citing health reasons. He maintained a medical practice in town for many years, and went to considerable efforts to keep up with the latest practices.

Wilson interested himself in civic activities in Edmonton, and eventually ran for mayor, winning election in 1895. He left office after less than two years in a dispute over town funds. He attempted a comeback in 1904, but was defeated in a run for the town council. He married in 1886, and had a son and two daughters. He died in 1909; an industrial park in the city is named for him.

Wilson was born in Picton, Canada West (now Ontario), the only son of Charles Stewart (c. 1827–October 28, 1900) and Eliza Maria (née Biggar) (c. 1832–1867) Wilson. His father was a well-known manufacturer of carriages and sailing ships and a leading banker in his hometown. Additionally, he served as a councillor and mayor of Picton, and was a good friend of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald. Wilson's mother was a daughter of Charles Biggar, who, like Wilson's paternal grandfather, Stewart Charles Wilson, was of United Empire Loyalist descent. One of Wilson's uncles, James Lyons Biggar, was Member of Parliament for Northumberland East, Ontario. Wilson's mother died in February 1867 when he was seven years old. His father later rewed, marrying Louisa Maria Colley; they had a daughter, born in about 1870. The Wilson family was of Irish descent.