James Thomas Knowles

Background

James Thomas Knowles was born in London, England, United Kingdom in 1831.

Education

James Thomas Knowles was educated, with a view to following his father's profession, as an architect at University College and in Italy. His literary tastes also brought him at an early age into the field of authorship.

Career

In 1860 James Thomas Knowles published The Story of King Arthur. In 1867 he was introduced to Tennyson, whose house, Aldworth, on Blackdown, he designed; this led to a close friendship, Knowles assisting Tennyson in business matters, and among other things helping to design scenery for The Cup, when Irving produced that play in 1880.

Knowles became intimate with a number of the most interesting men of the day, and in 1869, with Tennyson's cooperation, he started the Metaphysical Society, the object of which was to attempt some intellectual rapprochement between religion and science by getting the leading representatives of faith and unfaith to meet and exchange views.

In 1870 James Thomas Knowles became editor of the Contemporary Review, but left it in 1877 and founded the Nineteenth Century (to the title of which, in 1901, were added the words And After). Both periodicals became very influential under him, and formed the type of the new sort of monthly review which came to occupy the place formerly held by the quarterlies.

Achievements

• Among his commissions were Mark Masons' Hall, London, three churches in Clapham, South London and others. He founded the Metaphysical Society. In 1904 he received the honour of knighthood.

Connections

James Thomas Knowles was married twice, in 1860 to Jane Borradaile and in 1865 to Isabel Hewlett.

Father:

James Thomas Knowles (1806–1884)

architect

Spouse:

Jane Borradaile

Spouse:

Isabel Hewlett

Friend:

W. K. Clifford