Lloyd, E. Keith (1982). ‘Mr Peter Nicholson, the Practical Builder and Mathematician’. The Mathematical Gazette, vol. 66, no. 437: 203–207.
JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3616546
Accessed 28 Dec. 2020.
‘The Principles of Architecture’ by Nicholson is mentioned on p. 204 of the journal. Keith summarises the mathematical approach Nicholson took in writing his treatise. Keith’s claim is supported with a citation from the preface, illustrating Nicholson’s belief that a sound understanding of mathematics is a prerequisite for an architect.
“Nicholson’s next work was The principles of architecture, in three volumes. The first volume is a purely mathematical treatise, containing practical geometry, arithmetic and mensuration, for Nicholson firmly believed architecture to be not merely an art but also a science, and in the preface he writes ‘many excellent works [on architecture] rather puzzle, than inform, the mind of a beginner; who ought, like the student in astronomy, to commence his enquiries by going back to the most simple elements of mathematical knowledge, there to get the real clue to his future studies…’. The 1825 memoir also claims that Nicholson was the first person to notice that Grecian mouldings are conic sections and that the volutes of the Ionic capital ought to be composed of logarithmic spirals.’”
Redgrave, Samuel (1878). A Dictionary of Artists of the English School: Painters, Sculptors, Architects, Engravers and Ornamentists: with Notices of Their Lives and Work. London: G. Bell and sons, 310.
Archive https://archive.org/search.php?query=external-identifier%3A%22urn%3Aoclc%3Arecord%3A1043009709%22
Accessed 28 Dec. 2020.
A brief biographical entry on Peter Nicholson appears on p. 310. ‘The Principles of Architecture’ is mentioned amongst several other publications: “Arising out of his teaching, he next published , ‘The Student’s Instructor’ , ‘The Joiner’s Assistant,’ and ‘ The Principles of Architecture’, a serial publication commenced in 1794 , and completed 1809.”