NICOLSON, WILLIAM, Archbishop of Cashell, a learned antiquarian, was the son of a clergyman, and was born at Orton, in Cumberland, in 1655. Having entered Oxford in 1670, he was chosen a fellow of Queen's Col-
lege in 1679, and was shortly afterwards presented to several livings. His favourite studies now began to be prosecuted with vigour. He produced The English Historical Library in 1696-99; and The Scottish Historical Library in 1702; a series of national antiquarian works, which he afterwards completed in 1724, by the publication of The Irish Historical Library. His increasing fame was attended by high ecclesiastical preferment. He was promoted to the bishopric of Carlisle in 1702; was translated to the see of Londonderry in 1718; and had the arch-bishopric of Cashell conferred upon him in 1726. His death took place a few days after his elevation to this last dignity.