Paul Wilson, Baron Wilson of High Wray

Paul Norman Wilson, Baron Wilson of High Wray (24 October 1908 – 24 February 1980) was a British engineer, Lord Lieutenant of Westmorland (1965 to 1974) and of Cumbria (1974 to 1980) and Governor of the BBC.

Early life Wilson was the youngest son of Norman Forster Wilson, of Kendal, Westmorland, and of Mrs H. G. M. Wilson (née Harris). His two elder siblings were Gilbert, an academic geologist, and Edward, a scholar of Spanish. Wilson was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, and Clare College, Cambridge.

Career Wilson began his career as an engineer in South Africa, working there between 1930 and 1934. He then joined Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd, water turbine manufacturers, as managing director, in his home town of Kendal. He served the Second World War of 1939–1945 with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, most of that time being spent at sea in capital ships. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and retired as a temporary Lieutenant-Commander, to return to Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon. He was chairman of the company from 1954 to 1978. Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 1959 Lord Lieutenant of Westmorland, 1965 to 1974 Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John, 1966 President of the Newcomen Society, 1973–1975 (and vice-president, 1968–1973 and 1975–1977) Patron of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, 1965 (President, 1975–1978) Deputy Chairman of the British Hydromechanics Research Association, 1973–1975

Major publications Watermills, an introduction (1956, 2nd edn 1973) Watermills with Horizontal Wheels (1960) Water Turbines (Science Museum, 1974) Water and other forms of Motive Power in History of Technology, 1900–1950 (1977)