A lawyer and politician, George Robert Nichols was the first native-born solicitor admitted in New South Wales. In the 1830s, he became involved in radical politics, supporting the 'Australian party' led by W. C. Wentworth. Nichols co-owed and edited the New South Wales colonial newspaper the Australian with Francis Stephen. Nichols also edited the paper from 4 July 1837 to 10 July 1841.
Source: G. P. Walsh, 'Nichols, George Robert (Bob) (1809–1857)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/nichols-george-robert-bob-4296/text6957, accessed 12 September 2013.