​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.