Born in 1847, her father was W.P. Nichols, a prominent surgeon, Liberal, and former Mayor of Norwich.[3] Her father also collected oil paintings and encouraged her love of art, sending her to the local art school, and willing her money specifically to help further her career.[3] She studied wood engraving at the Norwich School of Art and won a prize for her work there in 1874.[4]
Nichols made her debut at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1877.[5] Throughout her career, she produced over 200 etchings, many of them of her home county, Norfolk.[6]