Born probably about 1560, Wilson was educated apparently at Stamford School, and matriculated at St John's College, Cambridge, on 26 November 1575.
He was at Bayonne in February 1603–4, and remained in Spain until the arrival of the Earl of Nottingham and Sir Charles Cornwallis as ambassadors in 1605.
[2] On his return to England, Wilson entered the service of Sir Robert Cecil, who leased to him a house adjoining his own, "Britain's Burse", in Durham Place, Strand, London.
In 1605 he was returned to parliament for Newtown, Isle of Wight; he took notes of its proceedings on matters including scutages and the "post-nati" for the government.
[2] About 1606, when Sir Thomas Lake stepped down, Salisbury (as Cecil had become) obtained for Wilson the post of Keeper of the Records at Whitehall Palace.
When Ralph Starkey acquired the papers of Secretary William Davison, Wilson procured a warrant for their seizure, and on 14 August 1619 secured a sackful, containing forty-five bundles of manuscripts.
After Ralegh's death Wilson urged the transference of his manuscripts to the state paper office, took his "mathematical and sea-instruments" for the Navy Board, and drew up a catalogue of his books, which he presented to the king.
[2] Among reports Wilson wrote for Robert Cecil was one begun on 1 March 1601 "on the state of England A.D. 1600", giving the claims of twelve competitors for the crown, with financial and military information.
He compiled a Collection of Divers Matters concerning the Marriages of Princes' Children, which he presented on 4 October 1617 to James I.