J. Nicholas, a German musician and musical historian, was born at Meeder (in Saxony) in 1749. He was appointed "Director of the Music" in the University of Göttingen. His works are: A General History of Music, in 2 vols. 4to; A General Biography of Musicians; and The Critical Musical Library, in three vols., published at Leipzig. The best of his works is the "General History of Music," which is still considered in many parts of Germany as a standard work. He died in 1818.