1909 Biography - James W. Nicholson

Nicholson, James W., educator, was born in Mason county, Ala., June 16, 1844. He received his education at Homer college. La., but left school to enlist in the Confederate army at the outbreak of the Civil war. During the engagements at Belmont, Fort Pillow, Baker's creek, Resaca, Peachtree creek, Decatur, Franklin, Nashville, Kinston, and Bentonville, he fought as a member of the 12th regiment of Louisiana infantry. Before entering the army he was interested in mathematics, and continued his studies during the war. At the close of the war he taught for several years and was for a while professor of mathematics at Homer college. He founded Arizona seminary, considered one of the best schools in the state. In 1877 he was appointed professor of mathematics in the Louisiana state university, agricultural and mechanical college, of which he was president in 1883-4, and 1887-96. He has published a number of pamphlets upon mathematics which have been incorporated inter some of the standard works upon the subject. He is a contributor to mathematical journals and author of a series of text books on arithmetic and elementary algebra used in the Louisiana schools. President Nicholson was married in Claiborne parish, July 30, 1876, to Sallie D., daughter of James C. Baker, a Georgia merchant.

Extracted 02 Nov 2019 by Norma Hass, from Louisiana; comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, published in 1909, volume 2, pages 259-260.

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