Nichol Latimer (1830 – 28 September 1865) a British businessman who was the publisher of The North China Herald, which was the most influential newspaper in treaty port China.
Family
His father was the farmerThe Leeds Grammar School Admissions Books, from 1820 to 1900, Ed. by Edmund Wilson F. S. A., Leeds, 1906, p. 73 David LatimerThe Register of the Leeds Grammar School, 1820–1896, Printed by J. Laycock and Sons, Leeds, 1897, p. 45 (b. 1781)The Leeds Mercury, 12 January 1839, p. 1 of Berwickstown, Kirklinton,The Carlisle Journal, 17 December 1858, p.8 and later of Kirklinton Hall, and later of Leeds. His maternal uncle was the Oxford and Headington vintner Edward Latimer (1775 - 1845), whose wine is described as ‘Latimer’s immortal tun’ in the Oxford University poem 'Brasenose Ale', and who was vintner to The Duke of Marlborough. There is a memorial plaque to Edward Latimer and his wife Elizabeth (d. 1843) at St. Andrew's Church, Headington, where they and several other members of their family are buried. They had twelve children who survived into adulthood.
Nichol Latimer's mother was Anne Moody, who was the daughter of the surgeon George Moody (1773–1844), of Arthuret, Longtown, Cumbria, and later of Leeds.The Leeds Intelligencer, 04 January 1845, Deaths Anne Moody was a ladies' school founder, of Warwick Place, Leeds.The Leeds Mercury, 12 January 1839, p. 1 His maternal uncle was the high church clergyman, theologian, classical scholar, and freemason, Clement Moody, Vicar of Newcastle.
His niece Mary Latimer R. R. C. (d. 1936),Grave Cross of George Latimer (1834–1897), that commemorates Mary Moody (Latimer) R. R. C. (d. 1936), Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England who was the daughter of the solicitor John Latimer (b. 1827, Kirklinton Hall, d. aged 54 years), of Horsfall and Latimer Solicitors, Park Row, Leeds, and of St. Mark's Villas, Leeds,The Leeds Grammar School Admissions Books, from 1820 to 1900, Ed. by Edmund Wilson F. S. A., Leeds, 1906, p. 221 married Colonel Thomas Moody ADC Kt.'s grandson Colonel Richard Stanley Hawks Moody CB.The York Herald, 7 November 1881, p. 5
His nephew Hugh Graham Latimer (b. 1863) was articled to his father as a solicitor, served as a Lieutenant in 3rd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, and inherited his father's farming, before emigrating to Almyra, Arkansas, by 1904.
Career He was educated at Leeds Grammar School with his younger brother Thomas and his nephew Hugh Graham Latimer.The Register of the Leeds Grammar School, 1820–1896, Printed by J. Laycock and Sons, Leeds, 1897, p. 128
He worked for the merchants Smith, Kennedy & Co. before he founded his own trading company, Nichol Latimer & Co (which was later renamed Latimer, Little, & Co.), at Foochow Road Shanghai in 1864. Partners in his company included Archibald Little, J. Nutt, and J. B. Tootal.The Chronicle And Directory for China, Japan, and the Philippines, for 1865, Published by the Daily Press Office, Wyndham Street, Hong Kong He also was the manager of the Shanghai Steam Navigation Co. of Russell & Company, which was the largest American trading company during Quing dynasty China, until his death.'The Shanghai Municipal Council, 1850 – 1865, Some Biographical Notes', by J. H. Haan, in Journal of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 24 (1984), pp. 207–229Supplement to the Overland China Mail, 15 October 1865, p. 5
He was the publisher of The North China Herald which was the most influential newspaper in China.
He was a member of the Royal Asiatic Society China.
He died on 28 September 1865, from an overdose of morphine, and is buried at Shantung Road Cemetery, Shanghai,The North China Herald, 30 September 1865 where his grave ID No. is 1064.
References