[2] Born in Wilmington, Vermont, Wilson was orphaned at the age of two, and raised by his maternal grandparents.

In 1891, Wilson first conceived the idea of a regularly updated catalog of books, alphabetized by subject.

His first year, he would say later, "was memorable for some heartening endorsements, nearly 300 subscriptions, and a rapidly growing deficit".

By 1913, Wilson had outgrown his Rochester, Minnesota, location and relocated his business, in 13 railcars, to White Plains, New York.

After his death the Company established a program of scholarships for students studying to become librarians.