William Nicholson

Born on February 5, 1872, in England, Nicholson went on to attend Hubert von Herkomer's art school for a year. He married Mabel Pryde in 1893 and with her brother, James, Nicholson designed artistic posters, graphical projects, and woodcuts. Together the two men were known as the Beggarstaff Brothers. On a recommendation by the painter Whistler, Nicholson earned a commission doing woodcut illustrations called An Alphabet. Later Nicholson continued his art education by enrolling at the Academie Julian in Paris and then spent much time with oil paintings. Nicholson also had the aptitude to write and illustrate children's books, such as Margery Williams' Velveteen Rabbit and his book Clever Bill. Nicholson's legacy remains in another way as well. He designed a stained glass window at St. Andrew's Church. This painter, artist, and writer passed away in 1949.