The founder of these institutions was the Rev. John Wilson D.D., F.R.S. of the Scottish Missionary Society. John and his wife Margaret arrived in Bombay on February 14,1829, learnt the local language and with great zeal set up schools for boys and girls of all castes and classes.

John Wilson's work went beyond the field of education. He was a Linguist, an Orientalist, a Reformer, an Author. In recognition of his service to the cause of education, social awakening and scholarship, the Department of Archives. Government of Maharashtra, in 2000 honoured Dr. John Wilson as one of the Seven Founders of Modern Bombay.

The pioneering work in higher education began a quarter of a century, before the establishment of any official body for this purpose. The vision and foresight of Dr. Wilson saw the establishment of the University of Bombay in 1857. On 14th December 1861, the collegiate section of Wilson's institution under the name of Free General Assembly's Institution became the first privately owned, non-government institution to get affiliated to the University.

For many years, both the school and college sections were housed in one building, but largely through the efforts of Dr. Mackichan, a site for the college was secured at Chowpatty and the present college building was opened on 14th March 1889. Thereafter the Institute was called Wilson College. To meet the needs of an ever-expanding student community, several extensions were made thereafter.

The high intellectual rigour and moral excellence of the people who guided the college, saw three of it first four Principals as Vice-Chancellors of the University of Bombay, followed by many distinguished alumni holding similar positions.

Prime minister Morarji Desai along with other Bharat Ratna recipients P.V. Kane and D.K. Karve are also proud alumni of this institution.

In 1952, the Management of the college came under an autonomous Board of Governors in India. Since 1963, the college functions under the Management of John Wilson Education Society. Wilson College is a Christian Minority Institution and is closely related to CNI. It aims at educationof the Christian community and extends its facilities and services to other communities too.

Today Wilson College is one of the few colleges in Mumbai which offer an array of subjects in the Arts, Science and Vocational stream, along with undergraduate courses in Management Studies, Mass Media, Biotechnology, Computer Science and Information Technology.

The students of Wilson College are from nearly every ethnic, religious and social group, of the country as well as of the world. Our extremely diverse student body is our strength and source of pride contributing to an open learning environment.

The college motto Fides, Spes, Caritas – Faith, Hope, Love – Vishwas, Asha, Prem speaks of Faith in God, the Love that steers us through life and Hope- that the college can achieve the highest level of moral, spiritual and intellectual excellence.

Wilson College has witnessed the turn of two centuries. As a tribute to the journey of this diminutive school started at the residence of Dr. Wilson, to develope into a multi – disciplined University affiliated college, the Postal Department, Government of India honored both its founder and the institution by issuing a Special Day Postal Cover in 2004. In 2007 to commemorate the completion of its 175 glorious years, a stamp and first day cover of Wilson College was issued.