William H. Nicholson (1869–1912) was the first African American fireman in the New York City Fire Department.
Biography Nicholson was born in 1869 in Virginia. He migrated to New York City and worked as a cement tester. He joined the New York City Fire Department in Brooklyn in 1898 but due to "rank-and-file opposition" was detailed to the veterinary unit to feed the horses and shovel manure. However, he was allowed to appear in public as a firefighter every Fourth of July when the department mandated every able-bodied man work the streets.
Nicholson retired due to poor health in December 1911 and died the following January.
See also Wesley Augustus Williams —Third African American fireman in the New York City Fire Department Vulcan Society
Footnotes