Oxford in Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Edgar George Wilson Memorial
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 24, 2026
1. Edgar George Wilson Marker
Erected under the auspices of the Oxford Young Mens Christian Association by public subscription. Unveiled November 7 by the mayor of Oxford (Walter Gray Esq).
Erected 1889.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Heroes. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1889.
Location. 51° 44.816′ N, 1° 16.051′ W. Marker is in Oxford, England, in Oxfordshire. It can be reached from Osney Mead. The memorial is situated on the footpath which runs alongside the River Thames from Osney to Folly Bridge, near to a footbridge and railway bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 82 Osney Mead, Oxford, England OX2 0NY, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Osney Lock (approx. half a kilometer away); Prison D Wing (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Oxford Castle Timeline (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Prison Debtors’ Tower (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The Perimeter Wall (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Prison Governor’s House (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Archaeology, the Castle Ditch (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The Motte and Bailey (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oxford.
Also see . . . Inscriptions: Memorial to Edgar George Wilson (Oxford History). Excerpts:
E dgar George Wilson was an assistant to the chemist William Luff at 24 Cornmarket Street, and lived with his parents and siblings at 14 Abbey Road in West Oxford (right). On Saturday 15 June 1889 he came home at lunchtime to help one of his sisters prepare for her music examination. Evidently he was not in a hurry to get back, because after leaving home at about 2.15pm he crossed the Botley Road and started on the the long riverside walk back to Cornmarket via Osney(Submitted on October 13, 2026.)and Folly Bridge.Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 24, 20262. Edgar George Wilson Memorial
When he saw Christopher Green (9) and Thomas Hazell (10) in trouble in the water, he appears to have jumped in fully clothed to rescue them, even though he was not strong and could barely swim. The boys got out of the water, but Edgar drowned, possibly because one of his arms had become entangled in the boys’ fishing lines.
His body was taken to the mortuary at Gloucester Green, but was soon released by the Coroner and taken to his own home. He was buried in St Thomas's churchyard a week later on 22 June 1889.
The memorial was erected by Mr White of Walton Street on ground given by University College. The cost was £22, which was raised by subscriptions from about 2,000 Oxford citizens, 200 of whom attended on 7 November 1889 when it was unveiled by Walter Gray.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 13, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
