Dr. Thomas Wilson was the Pocklington doctor and Physician for over 40 years and was a noted antiquarian and local historian. He was present at the most important digs by the famous Victorian Archaeologist J.R. Mortimer, who excavated many of the Wolds bronze age barrows. Mortimer called upon Dr. Wilson whenever he needed expert medical opinion when he discovered skeletal remains. Dr. Wilson excavated the famous Grimthorpe sword that is the fronticepiece of Mortimers's classic work "Forty Years researches in British and Saxon Burial mounds in East Yorkshire"

Pocklington had a thriving Philosophical and debating society which would meet and have lectures on all topics of art, literature and history, of which Dr. Wilson was a key member. He was born in Walkington, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Wilson and was baptised in Walkington on the 2nd September 1805. In 1831 he graduated from Edinburgh University. In the 1841 census he was practicing medicine as the town’s doctor in the Oak House (the present Arts Centre) and lived there until his death On June 19th 1878 at the age of 72.

I have not found any evidence of a marriage or children. A new pulpit of oak was built for Pocklington church, richly carved by Messrs. Elwell, of Beverley, at the cost of 100 guineas, in his memory. A plaque on the pulpit reads "In memory of Thomas Wilson M.D., died 1879." The money was raised by public subscription, and the panels were designed by Mr. Temple Moore. The old pulpit was used by the church at Little Driffield and is still there today.

Victoria Hall, in Chapmangate, was let for public meetings and lectures, and would hold 450 persons. The building was originally erected in 1880 for the purposes of a hospital, in memory of the late Thomas Wilson M.D. of Pocklington and had six beds, The Wilson Memorial Reference Library was established with part of the funds collected to found the Wilson Memorial Hospital. A memorial plaque appears on a house in South Parade, but I am not sure if it was placed there from it’s original location.

Dr. Wilson was of the firm opinion that Pocklington was the site of the conversion to Christianity of King Edwin in 627 following the destruction of the Pagan Temple at Goodmanham. It is commonly stated that Aldby, Buttercrambe was where this took place. If true, and his arguments seem persuasive, makes Pocklington an important centre for early Christanity. See the Soteby Cross page for more information.