James Nichols (printer) facts for kids
James Nichols (born 1785, died 1861) was an English printer and writer. He was known for printing many important books. He also wrote about different ideas in religion.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Nichols was born in Washington, Durham, England, on April 6, 1785. When he was young, his family had money problems. Because of this, he started working in a factory in Holbeck, Leeds, when he was only eight years old. He worked there until he was twelve. Even while working, he studied Latin grammar. Later, his father was able to send him to Leeds Grammar School.
After school, James worked as a private tutor for a while. Then, he started his own business. He became a printer and bookseller in Briggate, Leeds.
Later Life and Family
In 1813, James Nichols married Miss Bursey from Stockton-on-Tees. They had many children together. Sadly, only two of their children lived to adulthood. James Nichols passed away in Hoxton Square on November 26, 1861.
His Printing and Writing Work
James Nichols printed many different books and pamphlets. For example, he printed Poems by John Byrom in 1814. He also edited a magazine called the Leeds Literary Observer for a few months in 1819. He wanted to start a bigger monthly magazine, but instead, he moved to London.
In London, he opened a printing office. This is where he wrote and printed his most famous book, Calvinism and Arminianism compared (1824). He also printed the first volume of The Journal of John Wesley.
Translating and Editing Books
In 1825, James Nichols published the first part of his translation of the Works of Jacobus Arminius. This was a big project. The third part of this translation was published much later, in 1875, by William Nichols.
In 1832, James moved his printing office to Hoxton Square. He stayed there for the rest of his life. At this new office, he printed many important editions of books. These included:
- Thomas Fuller's Church History (1837)
- Thomas Fuller's History of Cambridge (1840)
- Thomas Fuller's The Holy and Profane State (1841)
- Pearson on the Creed (1845 and 1848)
- William Warburton's Divine Legation (1846)
He also edited books for William Tegg, another publisher. His editions of the Poetical Works of James Thomson (1849) and the Complete Works of Dr. Young (1855) were known for being very well-researched and accurate.
His biggest publishing project was the Morning Exercises. This was a collection of sermons preached between 1659 and 1689. James Nichols published the fifth edition of these sermons, which came out in six volumes between 1844 and 1845.
Friends and Scholars
James Nichols was well-liked by many important writers and scholars of his time. He was friends with people like Robert Southey, William Wordsworth, and John Bowring.
