Nicholson's life and death inspired books, ballads and generations of young boys to join the army and he is referenced in numerous literary works, including Rudyard Kipling's "Kim" and in George MacDonald Fraser's satirical adventure novel "Flashman in the Great Game" in which Harry Flashman meets Nicholson on the road between Bombay and Jhansi just before the rebellion, and describes Nicholson as "The downiest bird in all India and could be trusted with anything, money even." He also appears as one of the main characters in James Leasor's novel about the Indian Rebellion, "Follow the Drum", which describes his death in some detail and features heavily in the same author's history of the siege, 'The Red Fort'.