George Washington Wilson (1823-1893) was born in Alvah, Banffshire, the son of a crofter. He trained as a miniaturist and in 1848 settled in Aberdeen, where he established himself first as an artist and later (c.1852) as a photographer. In 1853 he received the first of many commissions from the Royal family when they were in residence at Balmoral. Wilson went on to build up a substantial business as a publisher of topographic views, the company reaching the peak of its success in the 1870's. After that it went into a gradual decline.

Wilson made several journeys into England but his English output is small compared with his Scottish views. One particular and important journey was made in 1860 when Wilson travelled almost 500 miles to Southampton via the West Country. This view of Peterborough Cathedral was probably made on that journey. As the interiors of many cathedrals are dark with strongly contrasting patches of light, Wilson needed all his patience and technical virtuosity to capture this feeling of space and volume. The solitary, seated figure adds a sense of scale.

A large pale blue label neatly pasted to the reverse of the stereoview gives the location and the photographer.