[1] Born at Harperley Park, Harperley, County Durham on 5 April 1825, he was educated at Harrow and at Durham University.
He graduated with a 6th class (ordinary) BA in April 1845 and with an LTh in June of the same year.
[3] Wilkinson was ordained priest in December 1848 and assigned to found a mission in Tow Law, Weardale.
His consecration to the Episcopate took place on 25 July 1888, the principal consecrator was Bishop William Clifford of Clifton, and the principal co-consecrators were Archbishop Charles Petre Eyre of Glasgow and Bishop Arthur Riddell of Northampton.
The following year, he was appointed Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle on 28 December 1889.