Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Nicholson, Isaac

by Lionel Henry Cust

NICHOLSON, ISAAC (1789–1848), wood-engraver, born at Melmesby in Cumberland, in 1789, was apprenticed to John Bewick [q. v.], the famous wood-engraver, at Newcastle-on-Tyne. His work was entirely in the manner of his master, whose style he imitated more successfully than many of Bewick's other pupils. He copied some of Bewick's ‘Quadrupeds’ with great success, and also his lithograph of ‘The Cadger's Trot.’ Other woodcuts by Nicholson are to be found in Hodgson's ‘History of Northumberland,’ Flower's ‘Visitation of the County of Durham,’ Watts's ‘Hymns,’ &c. He also engraved on copper a trade-card for Robert Spencer, turner and carver, of Newcastle. Nicholson died on 18 Oct. 1848, aged 59.

[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Hugo's Bewick Collector.]

L. C.