Samuel Smith (S.S.) Nicholas (1796 - November 27, 1869) was a jurist in the state of Kentucky and an author of law essays.
Nicholas started his career as a merchant in New Orleans. He studied law and moved to Kentucky, where he became a judge of the Court of Appeals. He was also known for his assistance in compiling the 1852 revised code of Kentucky.
During his tenure, Nicholas wrote the following works: Conservative Essays, Legal and Political Martial Law A Review of the Argument of President Lincoln and Attorney General Bates, in Favor of Presidential Power to Suspend the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus South Carolina, Disunion, and a Mississippi Valley Confederacy Habeas Corpus, The Law of War, and Confiscation
Judge Willard Saulsbury, Sr. quoted the works of Nicholas in his speech on the resolution proposing to expel Jesse D. Bright, and said "...we all know that since the commencement of this struggle no man has written or spoken more earnestly than has Chancellor Nicholas, of Kentucky..."