Statue of Edward Adrian Wilson

This bronze statue of Wilson was sculpted by Lady Kathleen Scott (1878–1947), widow of Captain Scott, and unveiled by Sir Clements Markham, ‘father’ of the Discovery expedition, on 9 July, 1914. It bears the following inscription:

Edward Adrian Wilson B.A. M.B. CANTAB. F.Z.S. Born in Cheltenham 1872. Chief of the Scientific Staff. Artist and Zoologist of the British Antarctic Expedition 1910–1913. He reached the South Pole January 17, 1912. And died with Capt. Scott on the Great Ice Barrier March 1912. ‘He died as he lived. A brave true man. The best of comrades and staunchest of friends. Letter from Capt. Scott

In front of the statue is one of three interpretation panels erected in 2012, the centenary of Wilson’s reaching the Pole and death, depicting Wilson’s life and achievements.

Just around the corner from here, at 3 St George’s Parade (part of St George’s Place), is the house where the Cheltenham-born biographer, the Revd George Seaver (1890–1976), stayed. It was his association with Cheltenham that initially brought him into contact with Wilson’s sister, Ida, and later Wilson’s widow, Oriana. Seaver wrote three biographical works on Wilson between 1933 and 1948, as well as biographies of Bowers (1938) and Scott (1940).

Continue to the corner just in front of the Neptune fountain where The Promenade meets St George’s Road. From here you can see, to the right, part of Cheltenham Ladies’ College.