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Donald Nicholson (biochemist)

Donald Nicholson (January 16 1916 - May 12 2012) designed what became known as the 'Nicholson Charts'. These charts show the pathways of the many chemicals which allow the human (and animal) body to function. In the 1950s Nicholson was teaching bacterial metabolism to medical students at Leeds University Medical School. These systems are very complex and knowledge of them was expanding fast. Also, without a diagram it was hard to see all the connections between the different chemical systems. Nicholson designed the charts to help the students in their studies. He drew his first chart in 1955 and had it printed in the University architect's department. It was received with great enthusiasm. Soon he was getting it printed commercially and it circulated widely. Over the next 40 years, 22 editions were published and many textbooks included them

Nicholson was born in Leek, Staffordshire, to a Methodist Minister and his wife. He himself served as a Methodist lay preacher for many years. He also served as a prison visitor.