Francis D. Nichol

Francis D. Nichol
Born	February 14, 1897 Thirlmere, New South Wales, Australia
Died	June 6, 1966(1966-06-07)(aged 69)
Occupation(s)	Author, and Editor of theAdventist Review,and Supervising Editor of theSeventh-day Adventist Bible Commentaryof theSeventh-day Adventist Church

Francis David Nichol(February 14, 1897 – June 6, 1966) was aSeventh-day Adventisteditor, of the church's main newsmagazine, and supervising editor of theSeventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,author, and also chairman of theEllen G. White Estateboard of trustees, and considered the leading twentieth-centuryapologistfor theprophetic ministryofEllen G. White.In 1965,Walter Martindescribed him as "the most able Adventist apologist."

Biography

F. D. Nichol was born 14 February 1897 inThirlmere,New South Wales,Australiato John and Mary Nichol who became Adventists after reading a discarded copy of theReview and Herald(now theAdventist Review). In 1905 when Francis was eight years old his family emigrated toLoma Linda,California,and in 1920 he graduated fromPacific Union Collegein theNapa Valleywith a Bachelor of Theology degree. In 1921 he joined the editorial staff ofSigns of the Timesand in 1927 became associate editor of theReview and Herald.He became editor in 1945 upon the retirement ofFrancis M. Wilcoxand held this post until his death in June 1966. Nichol was a prolific author and wrote several works includingAnswers to Objections(1932/1952) andThe Midnight Cry(1944). He was also chairman of theEllen G. White Estateboard of trustees and the supervising editor of theSeventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary.He wrote two apologetic works supporting the prophetic ministry of Ellen G. White:Ellen G. White and Her Critics: An Answer to the Major Charges that Critics Have Brought Against Mrs. Ellen G. White(1951; available online), andWhy I Believe in Mrs. E. G. White(1964).

The standard biography of Nichol is: Miriam G. Wood andKenneth H. Wood,His Initials Were F.D.N.: A Life Story of Elder F. D. Nichol, for Twenty-one Years Editor of the Review and Herald(1967). A commemorative issue of theReview and Herald,dated 10 June 1966, that contains a life sketch of F. D. Nichol byRaymond F. Cottrelland other tributes can beread online.

Nichol Hall at Loma Linda University

Loma Linda UniversityinLoma Linda, CaliforniaandPacific Union Collegehave both named buildings in his honor. Nichol Hall at Loma Linda University currently serves as classroom, office, and laboratory space for the Schools of Allied Health Professions and Public Health while Nichol Hall at Pacific Union College serves as a men's dormitory.

See also

• Adventist Review
• 1952 Bible Conference
• Seventh-day Adventist Commentary Reference Series

External links

• Ellen G. White and Her Criticsonline at theEllen G. White Estatewebsite. See alsoAdventist Archives version,inDjVuformat.
• Nichol, Francis D. (1947).Reasons for Our Faith.Washington, D.C. Review and Herald.Accessed April 8, 2011
• The Midnight Cryat theInternet Archive