Professor J.W. Nichols (1846-1916)

Joseph William Nichols, FSA - played a key role in developing the visual arts in Newfoundland.

An English trained artist known at "Professor Nichols" or J.W. Nichols, he emigrated to St. John's from his home in Leeds, Yorkshire to become Art Master at the Methodist College. He was the son of Rev. George Nichols, (1818-1886) whose home in 1886 was listed as Milton Cottage, Kirkstall, near Leeds, England.

Joseph left his position at the Methodist College to create and run the St. John's School of Art which was known for:

Classes daily in oil, watercolour, painting on china, pastels, modelling, design, machine and architectural drawing, sketching from nature. Art Exhibitions were held regularly. Students sat yearly for examination of the Royal Drawing Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Daily News - St. John's, Feb 8, 1966

Upon his retirement in 1908 he was awarded a pension from the Carnegie Retiring Fund.

"Hearty congratulations to Professor J.W. Nichols, whose thirty-five years of arduous work in this Island have been recognized by Mr. Carnegie who has offered him a life pension. Mr. Nicholl's [sic] name is so closely connected with the history of Art in this Colony that it is known wherever a Newfoundlander is to be found. He has done good and faithful work, and in thus recognizing his work and ability the Laird of Skibo Castle has not only honoured him and his adopted country, but has also honoured himself. That Mr. Nicholls [sic] may enjoy many years freed from the anxieties that seem inseparable from the workers of this strenuous age, will be the wish of all who know him."

Free Press - St. John's, 14 Apr 1908.

- transcribed by M. Elizabeth Squires

He married Ida Suzanna Bemister on the 13th of November 1877 in New Perlican, Newfoundland. Ida was the orphaned daughter of Mary and Capt. Willis Bemister of Carbonear and along with her siblings lived with various family members. They were married at the residence of the bride's uncle, Reuben James Bemister, J.P., by the Reverend Thomas H. James of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, assisted by the Reverend J. Lister.

Professor Nichols sketches were requested by newspapers and when the SS Arizona had a collision with an iceberg in 1879 and was brought to St. John's for repairs the Canadian Illustrated News in reporting the news created engravings based on his sketches. Double click on the images to see details.


The entry on Nichols in the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland & Labrador has an error in his name calling him John instead of Joseph:

Nichols, John W.
(1846-1916). Educator; artist. Born Leeds, England. Married Ida Bemister. Nichols came to Newfoundland in 1870 as a drawing master at the Methodist College in St. John's. In 1873 he left the College to found the St. John's Art School, which taught classes in painting, sketching, design, modelling and architectural drawing. The students participated in examinations and competitions administered by the Royal Drawing Society, and exhibitions which were held regularly. In 1908 Nichols represented Newfoundland at the International Congress for the Development of Drawing and Art Education. He retired from the School that same year but continued to teach art throughout Newfoundland. Active in the Methodist Church, in 1915 he edited A Century of Methodism in Newfoundland 1815-1915. Nichols died in St. John's on July 16, 1916.

Centre for Newfoundland Studies (J.W. Nichols),
A.C. Hunter Newfoundland Collection (J.W. Nichols).

He was also an active Methodist and church historian, and as mentioned above when it was time to celebrate a century of Methodism in his adopted city it was Nichols who was recruited to tell the story. Not only was he the editor but provided sketches to illustrate the book as well. The full book is now available digitally through Memorial University of Newfoundland.

He was also known for his sketches of Newfoundland scenes. Most of these are unfinished or are field sketches, likely made for reference purposes to be developed later into paintings in his studio.

Trinity from Cove, Oil Sketch by J.W. Nichols

Codroy Valley - J.W. Nichols


Ferryland - by J.W. Nichols


"Humber River from part of Little Rapids looking east" - sketch by J.W. Nichols

Heart's Content  - watercolour sketch by  J.W. Nichols

Boaat on a Pond - watercolour sketch by  J.W. Nichols

Professor J.W. Nichols (1846-1916)

Professor J.W. Nichols (1846-1916)

A sketch from a photo album once owned by J. W. Nichols - unsigned.