Given NameCharlesLast NameNicholsonDate of Birth23/11/1808Date of Death08/11/1903Biography
Born in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England.
Family: Father, Charles Nicholson (merchant and agent to Lord Egremont; Mother, Barbara Ascough (daughter of wealthy London merchant) (Dec 1811); Charles only son; his mother died when he was three and he was sent to live with a maiden aunt in Yorkshire (his father died when he was seven and his aunt took sole care of him)
Married: 1865 Sarah Keightley (25-year-old daughter of a London solicitor) (Dec. 1923); (3 sons)
Education: Private tutors (learned clergymen and young men from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge); at 17, Charles had a sound knowledge of History, Latin and Greek, and always maintained an interest in antiquities 1825 University of Edinburgh (medicine) Graduated with a high distinction, second in his year 1833 Doctor of Medicine (thesis in Latin on asphyxiation, its causes and treatments)
Career: Extraordinary member, Hunterian Medical Society of Edinburgh 9 October 1833 sailed for Sydney (arrived 1 May 1834) with his aunt, Miss Ascough, and his cousin, James Ascough to join his uncle, Captain James Ascough, a wealthy trader and shipowner with extensive land on the Hawkesbury River and Upper Hunter Practiced as a physician - gained reputation as a skilled obstetrician 1836 When his uncle drowned, Nicholson inherited most of his property, and became, at 28, one of the wealthiest men in the colony 1836 a founder of the Australian Gaslight Co. By 1840 was devoting his time to business affairs, buying land and stock, forming sheep stations Also 1840s interest in establishing shipping and railway companies; member of the Medical Board 1842 active in the movement to encourage immigration from India 1843 Elected member of the new part-elective Legislative Council, representing Port Phillip 1844 Ludwig Leichhardt named a mountain after Nicholson 1846 active in the plan for a new Railway Company 1846 to 1856 Elected Speaker of the House 1849 to 1850 Joined Wentworth in pressing for the establishment of a University By 1850 owned fine estate and mansion at Luddenham, near Sydney, as well as his residence, Tarmons, at Potts Point Early 1850s Trustee of the Savings Bank and the Australian Museum December 1850 to 1883 Fellow of first Senate of the University of Sydney 1851 to 1854 Vice-Provost of the University 1852 knighted 1854 befriended the pre-Raphaelite sculptor, Thomas Woolner, who cast a medallion of Nicholson which is held in the University of Sydney archives 1854 to 1862 Provost (later Chancellor) of the University 1855 Appointed to the interim Executive Council which governed until the first administration under responsible government took over 1855 to 1858 visited Egypt, collected antiquities, and went to England 1857 He secured for the University of Sydney considerable publicity and a Royal Charter (1857) giving its degrees equal status with those of the old British universities 1857 presented antiquities to the University's archaeological museum (which now bears his name) 1858 returned to Sydney; largely responsible for the acceptance of Edmund Blacket's design for the University; nominated as a member of the Legislative Council of the new colony of Queensland, and became President of the Council; while in Queensland acquire substantial land interests, especially in the Rockhampton district 1859 created a baronet 1862 Returned to England; acted as University's agent there, selecting staff, and periodically adding to the library 1865 married and settled on the estate of Hadleigh, Essex 1876 to 1901 lived at The Grange, Totteridge, near Barnet, Hertfordshire (it was destroyed by fire, along with Nicholson's journals and correspondence on 22 February 1899); Member, Royal Colonial Institute, Royal Society of Arts, British Association, and many other learned and cultural bodies 1860s and 1870s conducted excavations in the Channel Islands; associated with Petrie and Sayce 1880s took up study of Hebrew 1890 appointed to represent the interests of the Central Queensland League in London Chairman, London, Liverpool and Globe Insurance Co. Director, Peninsular and Orient Steamship Co. One of the first London businessmen to have financial interests in Persia Held honorary degrees from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Has been described as Australia's first great collector He was a generous patron of the arts and sciences
Publications: Aegyptiaca, comprising a catalogue of Egyptian antiquities now deposited in the Museum of the University, 1891 Pamphlets on Australian resources and prospects
