Who was Arthur Ernest Nicholson?

Arthur Ernest Nicholson was a prominent British tea merchant and first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on October 9, 1852, in Balham Hill, Streatham, Surrey, England, Nicholson was instrumental in introducing Ceylon and Indian teas to the United States market. His life tragically ended at the age of 58 (fifty-eight) when he perished in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Arthur Ernest Nicholson was born into a family with diverse professional backgrounds. His father, Charles Nicholson (1822-1880), worked as a warehouseman and later as a coal merchant, while his mother, Mary Ring (1821-1895), hailed from Dorset. Arthur was one of several siblings, including:

• Anne Maria (1846-1847)
• Emily Mary (1846-1917)
• Charles William (b. 1849)
• Alice Irena (1851-1938)
• Duncan Ring (b. 1854)
• Frederick George (b. 1858)
• Possibly Frank G (b. 1861)

The family’s residence changed over the years, with records showing them living in Streatham, Surrey, in 1861 and later moving to Brighton.

Education and Early Career

While specific details about Nicholson’s formal education are not provided, we can glean insights into his early professional life from census records. The 1871 census describes an 18-year-old Arthur as a clerk for a tea merchant, indicating his early entry into the tea trade that would define his career.

Marriage and Personal Life

On his 28th birthday, October 9, 1880, Arthur Nicholson married Kate Kilvington Hattersley, a native of Leeds, Yorkshire. Their union, while lasting, was marked by personal tragedy. A newspaper notice from 1882 revealed:

Births: NICHOLSON.— On the 8th inst., at Harrogate, the wife of Arthur E. Nicholson, of a son, stillborn.

Leeds Mercury, 9 February 1882

The couple remained childless throughout their marriage. They settled in London but maintained a winter residence on the Isle of Wight at Claremont on Steep Hill Road, Shanklin.

Professional Achievements

Arthur Nicholson’s career in the tea trade was distinguished and influential. His accomplishments include:

• Serving as an agent of the Tea Growers Association
• Introducing Ceylon and Indian teas to the United States market
• Representing prominent firms such as Balmer, Lawrie & Co., Ltd., Calcutta, and Alexander Lawrie & Co., Ltd., London
• Maintaining an office at 128 Front Street in Manhattan for over 30 years
• Participating in the 1904 World’s Fair, showcasing teas and other British Empire products

The Titanic Journey

Arthur Nicholson boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger, holding ticket number 693, which cost £26. Several reasons for his journey have been suggested:

1. His annual business trip to the USA
2. Assisting his elderly sister financially
3. Seeking a particular Turkish bath cure in New York for his own health

Tragically, Nicholson did not survive the sinking. His body was later recovered by the Mackay Bennett, identified as body No. 263.

What were Arthur Nicholson’s personal effects recovered from the Titanic?

The recovery of Arthur Nicholson’s body provided a poignant glimpse into his personal belongings at the time of the disaster. His effects included:

• Pearl scarf pin
• Book with “N” marking
• Gold watch and chain
• Gold pencil case
• Horseshoe cut diamond pin
• Glasses
• Gold cuff links
• 3 gold studs
• £9 in gold in a pocketbook

These items paint a picture of a well-to-do gentleman of the Edwardian era, reflecting Nicholson’s status as a successful businessman and first-class passenger.

Legacy and Final Resting Place

At the request of his sister, Arthur Nicholson’s remains were shipped to New York and interred at the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. Interestingly, he was buried near Charles Henry Chapman, another Titanic victim. Nicholson is one of four known Titanic casualties buried at Woodlawn, alongside Alexander Holverson and Isidor Straus.

Financial Aftermath

The Sun (New York) reported on April 25, 1912, that Arthur had an insurance policy with The Preferred Accident Insurance Company of New York. His policy, along with that of fellow passenger Emil Taussig, was estimated to cost the company $30,000.

Arthur Nicholson’s estate, valued at £447, 6d, was administered to his widow Kate on September 11, 1912. Kate Nicholson never remarried and continued to live on the Isle of Wight until her death on April 22, 1944, at the age of 86 (eighty-six).

Arthur Ernest Nicholson’s life and tragic death on the Titanic serve as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the legendary maritime disaster. His contributions to the tea trade and his final journey continue to fascinate historians and Titanic enthusiasts alike, ensuring his place in the annals of both business and maritime history.