William Nicholson

Who was William Nicholson?

William Nicholson was an English distiller and Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons in two periods between 1866 and 1885, and later joined the Conservative Party. He was also an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1845 to 1869.

Nicholson was born at Upper Holloway, London, the son of John Nicholson of Upper Clapton, Middlesex and his wife Ellen Payne daughter of Richard Payne. He was educated at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was a member of the family which owned the J&W Nicholson & Co gin distillery based at Three Mills. He was mainly associated with Marylebone Cricket Club, of which he was a prominent member; and with Middlesex and Middlesex County Cricket Club. He was a right-handed batsman and a wicketkeeper who made 148 known appearances in first-class matches, including a number of appearances for the Gentlemen between 1846 and 1858.

Nicholson became a director and then chairman of the distillery and was a benefactor of cricket. In 1863 he acquired Basing Park, Alton, Hampshire. In 1864, when MCC finally purchased the freehold of Lord's Ground, they paid £18,333 6s 8d using money advanced by Nicholson. In 1889, when the foundation stone was laid for the new Lord's Pavilion, it was paid for by a £21,000 loan from Nicholson. He was a J.P. and Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire