xliv Ainuial Report cf the Council. 



worth scliolarship and entered Edinburgh University, where he 

 graduated in iS8q, obtaining the D.Sc. degree some years later. 

 Alter graduation he spent two years in Charlottenburg, where 

 he investigated the strength of materials under Prof. Martens. 

 After holding the position of assistant-lecturer in engineering in 

 the University of Cambridge, he was appointed in 1892 professor 

 of mechanical engineering in McGill University, Montreal. He 

 took there an active part in the equipment of the engineering 

 department and in arranging the courses of instruction for 

 students. 



His tenure of the chair in McGill University was marked by 

 several important investigations. He designtd and constructed 

 for F. D. Adams, Professor of Geology in the University, special 

 apparatus for submitting specimens of rocks and minerals to the 

 highest obtainable pressure for long intervals of time. This 

 combination of the engineer with the geologist resulted in 

 notable advances to our knowledge of the flow of rocks under 

 great pressures and varying temperatures. 'J'he apparatus 

 designed by Professor Nicolson proved very serviceable in a 

 number of later researches along similar lines made by Professor 

 Adams. When Professor Callendar was appointed Professor of 

 Physics in McGill University he undertook with him an investi- 

 gation on the valve-leakage of the steam on the surface of 

 condensers. This difficult and important investigation was 

 published in detail, and led to the award of the Telford premium 

 to the authors. 



At the time of the building of the School of Technology in 

 Manchester, Mr. J. H. Reynolds travelled to Canada and 

 America to examine corresponding institutions in those countries. 

 He met Professor Nicolson in Montreal and was so impressed 

 with his energy and ability that he was selected in 1899 ^^ take 

 charge of the Engineering Department of the newly opened 

 School of Technology. Professor Nicolson was largely respon- 

 sible for the whole engineering equipment of that institution, an 

 equipment which in variety and extent is even now unsurpassed 

 in this country. When degree courses were instituted in the 



