R. S. Wilson

Robert Stretton Wilson (24 March 1831 – 4 February 1904) was an English veterinary surgeon, antique collector and activist for vegetarianism. A noted eccentric, Wilson built a miniature model of hell in his grounds at Tuxford Hall.

Life

Wilson was born in 1831 in Derby. He was educated at Edinburgh University, qualified in 1852 as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and practiced in Ollerton. He resided at Ollerton Hall for 20 years and was a churchwarden for a considerable period.

Tuxford Hall was described as a well built mansion that was "packed from basement to ceiling with treasures of art, archaeological remains and valuable curios from all corners of the world". He also had a bedroom that featured King John's four-poster bed from Newark Castle and a wax figure of Barry O'Meara, physician to the Napoleon.

Vegetarianism

Wilson became a vegetarian in 1881. From 1889 to 1895 he attended Vegetarian Society meetings and in 1899 operated a vegetarian shop at Tuxford Hall for local tourists.

Miniature hell

Wilson disagreed with orthodox ideas of eternal punishment, believing punishment was temporal. He questioned, "how is it possible to believe that a merciful God would keep his creatures in fire and brimstone". At the entrance was a large figure of Satan, heavily chained and holding a skull in his hands. The hell consisted of a pit of small figures whom Wilson considered to represent evil such as drunkards, hypocrites and liars.

In December 1904, the stone figures were sold in auction for 50 shillings. The "Devil in Chains" was knocked down and sold for 30 shillings. After the auction, local villagers were alleged to have commented, "Hooray! We've got hell away from Tuxford at last".

Personal life

Wilson was a strict teetotaller and non-smoker. Eliza died at Tuxford Hall in 1882, aged 49.

Wilson died of heart failure in February 1904. He was buried at Ollerton Cemetery.