Alfred Osborn Pope Nicholson (August 31, 1808 – March 23, 1876), was a lawyer, newspaper editor, banker, and politician from Tennessee.

From 1843 to 1845 he served in the Tennessee State Senate, moving to Nashville during this period.

[1] In 1853 President Franklin Pierce wished to appoint him to the Cabinet, but he declined to serve.

He edited the Washington Union from 1853 to 1856 and subsequently served as public printer to the United States House of Representatives.

After the Civil War, Nicholson served as chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1870 until his death.