Catalogue description Letters received by Dorothy Nicholson (1803-1893)

Dorothy was the youngest child of Thomas (1753-1825) and Mary Nicholson (c. 1757-1803) (see 920 NIC/11 and 12). She inherited money under the terms of the will of her cousin T.J. Hatfield and devoted her life to "social and charitable work". In 1862 she issued An Address read to the working classes at the Mechanics' Institution Woolton, on the occasion of the opening of the reading room and library, 25 March 1862. According to B.G. Orchard Liverpool's Legion of Honour, 1893, p. 521, "in early life" Dorothy Nicholson was closely associated "with Dr. Wm. Shepherd, Wm. Rathbone, Wm. Roscoe, Dr. Lingard (the Roman Catholic historian), meeting at their houses many famous persons, such as Brougham, John Gibson and Dr. Parr ...". Like her sister Elizabeth Thomson (see 920 NIC/13/2) she contributed regularly to the Liverpool Mercury. According to Orchard op. cit. at the time of her death she was "intent on a scheme for establishing Homes for the Aged Poor in Woolton". She was buried at the Gateacre Chapel.

See pp. 107-108.