Career
Knowles may have been related to the civil engineer George Knowles (c 1776-1856june23: will 1856aug13, ref PROB 11/2237/206), who designed Scarborough’s spa promenade and South Cliff Gardens. He spent some time studying glass manufacturing methods in the United States of America before the First World War. Enthused by the work of Tiffany, he attempted an English version of the famous lamps, but charming though his prototypes were, they lacked the delicacy of the originals and failed to catch on.
After training in art, Knowles dabbled in photography.
He renovated the building which became a hub of artistic endeavour with workshops producing not only stained glass but all kinds of ecclesiastical decoration including beautiful embroideries and tapestry work produced by the Knowles daughters. The building still retains much of Knowles’ work, installed when he lived here including a collection of priceless late Victorian and Edwardian stained glass.
The building remained in the Knowles family until 1999 when it was purchased by Jonathan Cainer to become the world’s first psychic museum.
