WILSON, John Laird, journalist, born in Crofthead, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, Scotland, 20 September, 1832. He is the eldest son of Alexander Wilson, an architect and surveyor. He was graduated at the University of Glasgow in 1852, studied at the Theological hall of the United Presbyterian church in Edinburgh, and was licensed as a preacher of the gospel in 1857. In the same year he accepted a call to the west of Scotland. After several years' successful work he resigned this charge, on account of feeble health, and went to Egypt, where he regained his strength. In the summer of 1866. Mr Wilson came to this country, and was on the editorial staff of the New York "Herald" before the close of the year. In 1874 he retired from the "Herald," and, at the head of a joint-stock company, established the New York "Scots" but the following year he abandoned the enterprise He has contributed largely to periodicals, and has published "The Battles of the Civil War" (2 vols., New York, 1878), and "John Wycliffe, Patriot and Reformer--a Biography" (1884). He is now preparing a history of the Huguenots.

The pictorial history of the great Civil War: its causes, origin, conduct and results; embracing full and authentic accounts of its battles by land and sea, with graphic descriptions of heroic deeds achieved by armies and individuals; narratives of personal adventure; thrilling incidents; daring exploits; wonderful escapes; life in camp, field, and hospital; adventures at sea; blockade life, etc., etc.; containing carefully prepared biographies of the leading generals and naval commanders of both the North and the South / by John Laird Wilson (1881)