1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Nicholson, William (painter)

NICHOLSON, WILLIAM (1784–1844), Scottish painter, was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Having settled in Edinburgh, he painted portraits both in oil and water-colour; and along with Thomas Hamilton the architect he was one of the founders and most vigorous promoters of the Scottish Academy, of which he became the first secretary (1826–1333) In 1818 he published a series of etchings entitled Portraits of Distinguished Living Characters of Scotland, including Sir Walter Scott, Lord Jeffrey, Robert Burns and Professor Wilson.