He took many of his stories from books not read by them, for he was an omnivorous reader, taking special delight in poetry, loving nothing better than a solitary walk with Spenser's "Faerie Queen" in his hand, and often himself composing verses above the average for so young a boy.
He was always thoughtful, and there is a letter of his to his friend Thornton, written when only seventeen, which shows that he had begun to think over Church questions, was deeply sensible of the sacredness of the apostolical commission to the ministry, and of the evils of State interference.

That same year, 1800, began his University education, at Brasenose College, Oxford.

His course there was alike blameless in life and brilliant in scholarship; his talents and industry could not fail to secure him honours in the schools.
Another young man was at the very same time at Oxford, whose course had been steered thither with more difficulties than Reginald Heber's.

Daniel Wilson's father was a wealthy silk manufacturer, at Spitalfields, where he was born in the year 1778.

He was educated at a private school at Hackney, kept by a clergyman named Eyre, who must have had a good deal of discernment of character, for he said, "There is no milk and water in that boy.