DR. EDWARD A. WILSON: “Ted” and Oriana

Edward A. Wilson 1872-1912,
British explorer, artist, naturalist, doctor,
ornithologist.

Dr. Edward A. Wilson was one of the great figures in the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. As doctor, artist and zoologist, he was a member of both Scott’s Antarctic expeditions, Discovery , 1901-4, and Terra Nova, 1910-13. He was one of the parties that perished on the return from the South Pole in 1912.

Oriana Souper was a beautiful, bright and elegant Victorian woman. She and “Ted” Wilson where deeply in love, in the short time they had together. primarily the time between the first and second Scott expeditions. They were married shortly before Wilson departed for Antarctica on the fist Scott expedition, 1901. Their love merged with, their faith, nature and a mystical sense of things. They worked together. She helped him with his ornithological field research and indirectly his art.

Wilson perished in a tent with Scott after being second to the South Pole. Amundsen being first broke Scott’s spirit. In a last letter to Oriana, Scott wrote:
“If this letter reaches you, Bill and I will have gone out together…His eyes have a comfortable blue look of hope and his mind is peaceful with the satisfaction of his faith…in the great scheme of the Almighty “

Wilson’s last letter to ‘Ory’ said:
“…life itself is a small thing to me now…My only regret is leaving you to struggle through your life alone, but I may be coming to you in a quicker way.”