408 
WALTER LAMB NICHOLSON. 
him until 1856, when he was offered a position in the United 
States Coast Survey under Professor Bache. There he had 
charge of the preparation for publication of the records and 
results of the work of the Survey, his taste and thorough 
knowledge of mathematics particularly fitting him. for a suc¬ 
cess in this work which was highly appreciated by Professor 
Bache. On the breaking out of the war his experience as a 
civil engineer in the South was at once utilized in the prep¬ 
aration of maps for the use of the army. 
In 1863, when the Postmaster General asked Professor 
Bache to recommend some one as topographer of that depart¬ 
ment, Mr. Nicholson was at once selected, and filled the posi¬ 
tion for twenty-two years. During the war, and for some time 
after, this office was one of peculiar importance to the Gov¬ 
ernment, all questions of distance and mileage being referred 
to it for verification. Here again his knowledge of mathe¬ 
matics and extreme accuracy were of untold value, and are 
to this day often referred to in the office. He originated and 
carried into successful operation the use of post-route maps, 
the value of which was immediately recognized. 
Mr. Nicholson was one of the founders of the Philosophical 
Society of Washington. He enjoyed in a marked degree the 
friendship and esteem of Professor Henry, and was associated 
with him in a number of scientific investigations. He was 
known to both Bache and Henry as a man in every respect 
worthy of their confidence. 
Socially of a kindly and generous temperament, with re¬ 
fined and scholarly tastes, he was thoroughly conversant with 
the history, the traditions, and the literature of his native 
land. These were his favorite themes, and he knew how to 
make them of unfailing interest to his friends. 
For some years before his death, which took place at his 
home in Washington in April, 1895, he was in failing health, 
but retained his mental faculties to the last. 
Edward Goodfellow. 
