# Edward A. Wilson — The Worst Journey in the World character guide > Edward A. Wilson in The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bill, Wilson, Uncle Bill, old Uncle Bill, Uncle Bill Wilson, Bill Wilson, the old Uncle Bill, Dr. Wilson, E. A. Wilson, Poor Wilson, Dr. Edward A. Wilson, Bill ' Wilson **First appearance:** 0003-the-worst-journey-in-the-world ## Snapshot Scott's closest friend and chief scientist, an artist-doctor whose quiet judgment holds the polar party together. ## Who they are Wilson — 'Uncle Bill' — is the expedition's scientific conscience, chasing Emperor penguin eggs and sketching clouds while Scott leans on his judgment for the hardest decisions. His diary is the record of an artist and naturalist, restrained and factual, and Scott's wish to have Bill hold his hand at the Pole says everything about their bond. He matters because he embodies the expedition's divided soul: the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of the Pole, stacked one atop the other until neither can be abandoned. ## In the story ### [The Worst Journey in the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/the-worst-journey-in-the-world) Chief scientist and close companion to Scott. ### [I: From England to South Africa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/i-from-england-to-south-africa) Wilson is chief of the scientific staff, a specialist in birds, and an artist. He painted a Portuguese man-of-war and is noted for his tact, hard work, and role as a friend-in-need. ### [II: Making Our Easting Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ii-making-our-easting-down) Wilson is mentioned for his belief that albatross fly around the world before westerly winds, landing only once a year to breed. ### [III: Southward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iii-southward) Consults with Scott in the crow's nest about raising steam. ### [The Depot Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/v-the-depot-journey) Meets Crean on the Barrier with Scott and Oates; Scott mutters to him about anxiety over missing men. ### [The Return of the Dog Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/the-return-of-the-dog-party) Part of the dog party, jumps onto the sledge during the crevasse incident, and helps in the rescue. ### [VI: The First Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vi-the-first-winter) Mentioned in the context of the Darwin book on the first Southern Journey and congratulating Oates on the ponies' performance. ### [VII: The Winter Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vii-the-winter-journey) Co-leader of the winter journey; responsible for scientific observations and ration planning; known for his calm and endurance. ### [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/appendix) Dr. Wilson's determination to obtain Emperor Penguin embryos during the breeding season is highlighted; his earlier disappointment from the Discovery expedition motivated the Winter Journey. ### [The Polar Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ix-the-polar-journey) Leads Nobby, the pony rescued from killer whales; communicates with Taylor via telephone; involved in pony discussions. ### [The Barrier Stage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/i-the-barrier-stage) Wilson is portrayed as a wise and practical sledger, offering the maxim that the best sledger does what is needed without complaint. He also contributes to the cooking innovations that improve morale. ### [X: The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/x-the-polar-journey-continued) Wilson is involved in the decision about who should go on, and is noted for his scientific observations of the glacier. ### [The Beardmore Glacier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ii-the-beardmore-glacier) Part of team I, sketches the glacier and surrounding mountains during the march. ### [III: The Plateau from Mount Darwin to Lat. 87° 2′ S.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/iii-the-plateau-from-mount-darwin-to-lat-87-2-s) Part of Scott's team, referred to as Dr. Bill in Bowers' diary. ### [Another Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xv-another-spring) Noted as the leader of the dog team on the Depot Journey, with Stareek as his lead dog. ### [XVII: The Polar Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xvii-the-polar-journey) Collects geological specimens at Mount Darwin and Buckley Island, writes diary entries on February 8 and 9 describing the geology and conditions, and notes the cold on January 14. ### [The Pole and After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/v-the-pole-and-after) Scientist and doctor, aged 39; kept a detailed diary of observations and was described as an artist and man of good judgment. ### [XVIII: The Polar Journey (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xviii-the-polar-journey-continued) Wilson is noted for his determined cheerfulness and for insisting on carrying geological specimens; his diary is quoted, and he is described as horribly cold during the march. ### [VI: Farthest South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/vi-farthest-south) Remains cheerful and supportive; noted for sacrificing himself for the sick. ### [XIX: Never Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xix-never-again) Referenced for his desire to obtain an Emperor penguin egg, a dangerous and exhausting feat that added to the expedition's burdens. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in endnotes for his scientific reports and journal entries. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Numerous sketches and watercolours by Dr. Wilson are listed, including scenes of McMurdo Sound, Emperor Penguins, the Barrier, and the Beardmore Glacier. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/characters/wilson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/characters