Alexander Nicoll

Alexander Nicoll (1793–1828) was a Scottish orientalist, known for his bibliographical work. He became Regius Professor of Hebrew at Oxford in 1822.

Life The youngest son of John Nicoll, he was born at Monymusk, Aberdeenshire, 3 April 1793. After attending successively a private school, the parish school, and Aberdeen grammar school, he entered Aberdeen University, where he studied two years with distinction. In 1807 he moved to Balliol College, Oxford, on a Snell exhibition, and graduated B.A. in 1811, and M.A. in 1814.

Nicoll began oriental studies in 1813, and was later appointed sub-librarian in the Bodleian Library. In 1817 he took deacon's orders, and became a curate in an Oxford church. In 1822 he succeeded Richard Laurence as Regius Professor of Hebrew and canon of Christ Church, Oxford; and was made D.C.L. in the same year. He died of bronchitis on 24 September 1828. and, secondly, to Sophia, daughter of James Parsons, the editor of the Oxford Septuagint’ who prepared a posthumous volume of Nicoll's sermons, with memoir, in 1830. By his second wife he left three daughters.