Nicholas Harris Nicolas

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Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas, KCMG, KH (March 10, 1799 - August 3, 1848) was an English antiquary.

The fourth son of John Harris Nicolas (died 1844), he was born at Dartmouth. Having served in the navy from 1812 to 1816, he studied law and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1825. His work as a barrister was confined principally to peerage cases before the House of Lords, and he devoted the rest of his time to the study of genealogy and history. In 1831 he was made a knight of the Royal Guelphic Order, and in 1832 chancellor and knight-commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, being advanced to the grade of the grand cross in 1840. He became a member of the council of the Society of Antiquaries in 1826, but soon began to criticize the management of the society's affairs, and withdrew in 1828.

He then criticized the Record Commission, which he regarded as too expensive. These attacks, which brought him into controversy with Francis Palgrave, led in 1836 to the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the public records. Nicolas was also responsible for several reforms at the British Museum. In 1822 he married Sarah (d. 1867), daughter of John Davison of Loughton, Essex, a reputed descendant of the Tudor statesman William Davison. They had two sons and six daughters. Financial difficulties compelled Nicolas to leave England, and he died near Boulogne. Although a sharp and eager controversialist, Nicolas is said to have been a genial and generous man.

The most important of the Nicolas's works is his History of the Orders of Knighthood of the British Empire; of the Order of the Guelphs; and of Medals, Clasps, &c., for Naval and Military Services (London, I 841-1842). Among his numerous other writings are:

  • The Chronology of History (London, 1833)
  • Life of William Davison (London, 1823)
  • Synopsis of the Peerage of England (London, 1825)
  • Life and Times of Sir Christopher Hatton (London, 1847)
  • an uncompleted History of the Royal Navy (London, 1847).

He edited Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England, 1386-1542 (London, 1834-1837), and (with the help of Nelson's daughter Horatia) Despatches and Letters of Lord Nelson (London, 1844-1846); wrote lives of Geoffrey Chaucer, Robert Burns, William Cowper, Francis Thomson, Williams Collins, Henry Kirke White and others for Pickering's Aldine Press edition of the poets; lives of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton for an edition of The Compleat Angler; and several elaborate works on genealogical and kindred subjects printed for private circulation only.

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