Background
Born on 8 August 1803 at Southwell, Nottinghamshire, he was the son of James Nicholson, carpenter and joiner.
Born on 8 August 1803 at Southwell, Nottinghamshire, he was the son of James Nicholson, carpenter and joiner.
James gave up his business about 1838 and became sub-agent to Sir Richard Sutton"s estates in Nottinghamshire and Norfolk. William was articled about July 1821, for three years, to John Buonarotti Papworth, architect, of London. In 1828 he established himself at Lincoln.
And there and in the neighbouring counties he built up an extensive practice.
Charles Baily was a pupil. Another pupil of Nicholson"s was Michael Drury.
His assistant John Spence Hardy and his pupil Pearson Bellamy set up the practice of Bellamy and Hardy in Lincoln after his death. Nicholson joined the Royal Institute of British Architects as a founding fellow at its commencement.
He was in attendance at Boston as a professional witness when he was suddenly taken ill, and died there on 8 April 1853.
He was buried at Lincoln, in the churchyard of Saint Swithin, in the parish where he had resided for many years. In 1824 Nicholson married Leonora, the youngest daughter of William Say of Norton Street, London.
He was a member of the Lincolnshire Literary Society, and of the Lincolnshire Topographical Society.