NICHOLSON, James William, Tuskegee AL, then E. Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller



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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged
in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 324-325.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914,
by Century Historical Association.

Nicholson, James William, inventor of the "Trigonometrical Circle" and author of various works
on mathematics, Baton Rouge, La., was born at Tuskegee, Ala., June 16, 1844; son of
Washington Biddle and Martha William (Wafer) Nicholson, both of whom were born in the State
of Georgia, the father of Scotch and the mother of Irish ancestry.  Harris Nicholson, a native of
Maryland, born in 1760 and died in 1841, was a soldier of the American revolution and to his
memory a monument was erected in the local cemetery at Tuskegee, Ala.  This monument is
standing at this time.  He removed to Virginia from Maryland, and there his son James was born,
the son later removing to Georgia, where Washington Biddle Nicholson, son of James Nicholson,
was born, this son in turn removing to Alabama, where James William Nicholson, subject of this
sketch, was born.  In the year of the birth of the latter the father removed to Louisiana, in which
latter state the son was reared, and in the year 1876 married Miss Sallie Baker.  Of the children
born to their union, five are now living, these being  Gordon,  Malcolm,  Wilbur Fenner,  Lilburne,
and  Thera.  The sons now reside at Houston, Tex.  The mother's ancestors were originally from
Ireland.  The first American representatives of the family lived in South Carolina, whence there
came a son to Louisiana as one of the early pioneers.  Thomas Wafer served as a soldier in the
army of the Revolution.  The mother's father passed the greater part of his life in Louisiana, in
which state he died.  His name was James, and that of his father Thomas.  The family resided in
the northern part of Louisiana.  James William Nicholson was prepared for college in private
schools, and later matriculated at Homer college, in Claiborne parish.  The completion of his
education was interrupted by the Civil war, and after having finished the sophomore grade, and
some time before his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the Confederate army as a private in Company
B, 12th La. infantry.  Subsequently he underwent all the experiences of a Confederate soldier in
the ranks, during 4 years of fighting in the service of the Southern states.  During this time the
young man several times declined promotion that was proffered as a result of gallant conduct in
action, being prompted to decline these advances in order that he might avail himself of every
possible opportunity to study higher mathematics, to which science he has been devoted
throughout life.  After the war he returned home and soon established a private school at
Arizonia, La.  This was called Arizonia seminary, and was the chief school of North Louisiana
during the reconstruction period.  In 1877, he accepted the chair of mathematics in Louisiana
State university.  Prof. Nicholson has twice occupied the position of president of the university,
without having sought the place in either case, and has each time resigned as soon as the
presidency could be acceptably filled without his incumbency.  In these cases, as in the army, he
desired to give his time to the problems of mathematics.  He is author of a series of mathematics,
embracing algebra, trigonometry and calculus, and has written numerous monographs dealing
with the subject of mathematics.  Prof. Nicholson is inventor of the ''Trigonometrical Circle,'' now
in very general use throughout the civilized world.   He has written an interesting work entitled
"Stories of Dixie.''  After the war he took the degree of A. M. at Homer college.  In 1893 the
degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the agricultural and mechanical college of Alabama,
and in 1903 the same degree was conferred upon Prof. Nicholson by Tulane university.  The
professor has been a member of the Knights of Pythias 31 years.  He is affiliated with the
Methodist church.  In addition to his many professional and literary interests, Prof. Nicholson has
found time to participate in many local activities of a social nature, and is one of the most highly
esteemed citizens of Louisiana.  As a member of the Confederate Veterans he acted for many
years as one of the influential committee on history which had much to do with the agitation for
correct representation of Southern history in the public schools.

Note:  Original source includes a photo of Professor Nicholson.