| AdminHistory | John Nichols (1745-1826), printer. Apprenticed to William Bowyer the younger (1699-1777), one of London's most influential printers, in 1759, and became Bowyer's partner in 1766, inheriting the business on Bowyer's death. Continued Bowyer's tradition of printing for private gentlemen, learned societies and the Palace of Westminster and, in 1778, purchased a share in the "Gentleman's Magazine", which the family edited and printed until 1856. John Nichols mixed business with his own interests in antiquities and biography. His press published many of the county histories of the day. Master of the Stationers' Company in 1804, a registrar of the Royal Literary Fund, and a founder of the Royal Humane Society. FSA 1810.
John Bowyer Nichols (1779-1863), printer, son of John Nichols and his second wife, Martha Green. Became a partner in the family business, 5 August 1800. Oversaw the rebuilding of the printing office and warehouse in Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, after their destruction by fire on 8 February 1808, and in 1819 he moved the business to new premises at 25 Parliament Street, Westminster, in order to be nearer to his parliamentary printing. Printed most of the major early nineteenth century county histories. Defended the business against the enquiries of select committees in 1828 and 1833 into the high costs parliamentary printing. Master of the Stationers' Company in 1850. |