Nicholas Harris Nicolas
Encyclopedia
Sir Harris Nicolas, KCMG, KH (March 10, 1799 - August 3, 1848) was an English
antiquary
.
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.
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.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
antiquary
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
.
Life
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 TempleInner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1825. His work as a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
was confined principally to peerage
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
cases before the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
, and he devoted the rest of his time to the study of genealogy
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
and history. In 1831 he was made a knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
of the Royal Guelphic Order
Royal Guelphic Order
The Royal Guelphic Order, sometimes also referred to as the Hanoverian Guelphic Order, is a Hanoverian order of chivalry instituted on 28 April 1815 by the Prince Regent . It has not been conferred by the British Crown since the death of King William IV in 1837, when the personal union of the...
, and in 1832 chancellor and knight-commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, being advanced to the grade of the grand cross in 1840. He became a member of the council of the Society of Antiquaries
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
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
Francis Palgrave
Sir Francis Palgrave FRS, born Francis Ephraim Cohen, was an English historian.- Early life :He was born in London, the son of Meyer Cohen, a Jewish stockbroker by his wife Rachel Levien Cohen . He was initially articled as a clerk to a London solicitor's firm, and remained there as chief clerk...
, 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
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
. In 1822 he married Sarah (d. 1867), daughter of John Davison of Loughton, Essex, a reputed descendant of the Tudor statesman William Davison
William Davison
William Davison was secretary to Queen Elizabeth I. He played a key functional role in the 1587 execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, and was made the scapegoat for this event in British history.-Court official:...
. They had two sons and six daughters. Financial difficulties compelled Nicolas to leave England, and he died near Boulogne
Boulogne-sur-Mer
-Road:* Metropolitan bus services are operated by the TCRB* Coach services to Calais and Dunkerque* A16 motorway-Rail:* The main railway station is Gare de Boulogne-Ville and located in the south of the city....
. Although a sharp and eager controversialist, Nicolas is said to have been a genial and generous man.
Works
The most important of 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 HattonChristopher HattonSir Christopher Hatton was an English politician, Lord Chancellor of England and a favourite of Elizabeth I of England.-Early days:...
(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
Horatia Nelson
Horatia Nelson, christened as Horatia Nelson Thompson was the illegitimate daughter of Emma Hamilton and Horatio Nelson.-Early life:...
) Despatches and Letters of Lord Nelson (London, 1844-1846); wrote lives of Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer , known as the Father of English literature, is widely considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages and was the first poet to have been buried in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey...
, Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
, William Cowper
William Cowper
William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry...
, Francis Thomson, Williams Collins
William Collins (poet)
William Collins was an English poet. Second in influence only to Thomas Gray, he was an important poet of the middle decades of the 18th century...
, Henry Kirke White
Henry Kirke White
Henry Kirke White was an English poet, who died at a young age.White was born in Nottingham, the son of a butcher, a trade for which he was himself intended. However, he was greatly attracted to book-learning...
and others for Pickering's Aldine Press
Aldine Press
Aldine Press was the printing office started by Aldus Manutius in 1494 in Venice, from which were issued the celebrated Aldine editions of the classics . The Aldine Press is famous in the history of typography, among other things, for the introduction of italics...
edition of the poets; lives of Izaak Walton
Izaak Walton
Izaak Walton was an English writer. Best known as the author of The Compleat Angler, he also wrote a number of short biographies which have been collected under the title of Walton's Lives.-Biography:...
and Charles Cotton
Charles Cotton
Charles Cotton was an English poet and writer, best known for translating the work of Michel de Montaigne from the French, for his contributions to The Compleat Angler, and for the highly influential The Compleat Gamester which has been attributed to him.-Early life:He was born at Beresford Hall...
for an edition of The Compleat Angler; and several elaborate works on genealogical and kindred subjects printed for private circulation only.