Richard Nicholson (baptised 26 September 1563 – 1638 or 1639) was an English composer and organist and the first Heather Professor of Music at the University of Oxford.
[1][2] In 1626, William Heather appointed him as the first "Master of the Musicke" for the university, following a donation by Heather of music books, instruments and money for the purpose of theoretical and practical instruction in music.
[1][3] He was succeeded in the professorship by Arthur Phillips in November 1639, but he may have died in the previous year as the Magdalen College account books do not mention Nicholson after 1638.
"When Jesus sat at meat" is for singers, including boy soloists, and instruments (viols), suggesting that it was composed for the classes that Nicholson was required to teach at Oxford.
He also composed a five-part Latin motet, "Cantate Domino", which may have been for the purposes of his Oxford degree.