Edward C. Wilson

Ted, the only child of Edward Mellor Wilson and Lyle Chamberlin Wilson, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in North Hills, Montgomery County, just outside of Philadelphia. In 1972, Ted graduated from Springfield Township High School where he excelled academically.

Ted graduated from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1976, with a B.A. in International Relations. He continued his studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Washington DC, graduating in 1978, with an M.A. in International Relations. At SAIS, his areas of concentration and expertise were Latin American Studies, International Economics, and Comparative Politics.

Ted started his professional career in 1980, with The United States Department of Agriculture. In 1990, he transferred to the United States International Trade Commission. As an International Economist, his primary focus was writing trade reports on the GATT (General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade), which was the precursor to the World Trade Organization. He retired from the Commission in 2019, after 39 years of Federal service.

Ted was part of a close circle of devoted friends from all walks of life. He had a great sense of high-minded fun and could stay awake for days at a time. His fiercely curious mind, expansive sense of wonder, and adventure were qualities present at an early age.

This spirit continued to be present throughout his entire life.

As in high school, Ted was loved and respected by friends from college, graduate school, and his professional career. Ted was a modern Renaissance man, who had a remarkable depth of interest in, and knowledge of, history, art, and culture. His expansive love of music spanned from Corelli to the Jefferson Airplane, and his love of the graphic arts spanned Albrecht Dürer to Oskar Kokoschka, and beyond. Ted was a gifted amateur artist, beginning in childhood and carried this passion through adulthood. Anyone who was fortunate enough to receive a card, letter, or note with his whimsical drawings, should consider it to be one of their most prized possessions.

In addition, Ted was an accomplished and cultivated oenophile. He immersed himself in French vintages, and was always ready to share his wide-ranging knowledge and extensive collection with friends and family. His computer passwords were usually variations on French wine-growing regions.

Ted is survived by Mary Catherine Jarboe, his wife of one month and devoted significant other of 33 years. He is also survived by three first cousins, Jeremy Graham Wilson, Anna Wharton Phillips, and Robin Chamberlin Milburn. Ted leaves many broken hearts in his wake.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. 4835 MacArthur Boulevard, NW, Washington, DC. 10:00am visitation followed by the 11:00am mass. Interment private.