Thomas Wilson

Born in 1832 and active in many fields over the course of his life, Thomas Wilson is best remembered as an American archaeologist and anthropological writer. Contemporary notices describe him as curator of the Division of Prehistoric Archaeology at the National Museum in Washington, and they note that he died on May 4, 1902.

Wilson wrote for readers fascinated by early tools, symbols, customs, and the deep human past. His best-known work, The Swastika: The Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migrations, reflects his effort to trace ideas and objects across cultures through archaeology, comparison, and museum study.

What makes him interesting today is the path he took before becoming a scholarly author: sources describe him not only as a museum curator, but also as a lawyer, diplomat, politician, and Civil War soldier. That varied background gives his work an adventurous, exploratory feel, even when he is writing about artifacts, folklore, or prehistoric life.