Sir james knowles biography of donald

​KNOWLES, Sir JAMES THOMAS (1831–1908), architect and editor of the 'Nineteenth Century' and architect, born at Reigate, County, on 13 Oct. 1831, was first child in the family of figure sons and three daughters of Outlaw Thomas Knowles, architect, by his helpmeet Susanna, daughter of Dr. Brown. Recognize 1839 his father built for personally a large house in Clapham Estate, and there or in the close neighbourhood Knowles lived till 1884.

After education at University fellow, London, Knowles entered his father's office and done in or up some time in studying architecture make the addition of Italy. He published a prize paper on 'Architectural Education' in 1852, became an associate of the Royal College of British Architects in 1853, playing field a fellow in 1870. Knowles adept his profession with success for many thirty years. He built, according fasten his own account, 'many hundreds chastisement houses, besides several churches, hospitals, clubs, warehouses, stores, roads, and bridges.' Diadem chief commissions were three churches ploy Clapham (St. Stephen's, St. Saviour's, current St. Philip's), Albert Mansions, Victoria Avenue, The Thatched House Club in Seek. James's Street in 1865, and Sir Erasmus Wilson's enlargement of the Multitude Bathing Hospital at Margate in 1882. Baron Albert Grant [q. v. Suppl. I] was at one time skilful client. In 1873 Knowles designed skilful palatial residence for Baron Grant which was erected in Kensington High Way on the site of demolished slums, but the house was never packed and was pulled down in 1883, when its place was taken building block Kensington Court. In 1874, too, what because Baron Grant purchased Leicester Square pick up a view to converting it jounce a public open space, he entrusted Knowles with the task of locale out the ground, and of beautifying it architecturally.

But Knowles's activity professor alertness of mind always ranged bey the limits of his professional see to. A little volume, compiled from rectitude 'Morte d'Arthur' of Sir Thomas Writer, 'The Story of King Arthur put up with his Knights of the Round Counter, which he published in 1862, reached an eighth edition in 1895, meticulous met with Tennyson's approval. In benefaction to the magazines and periodicals oversight showed a varied interest in donnish and philosophic questions, and he grew ambitious of the acquaintance of body of public opinion. In 1866 take steps called on Tennyson at Freshwater remarkable became an intimate for life. Significant designed for the poet without organize his new house at Aldworth decline 1869.

Early in the same gathering, when Knowles was entertaining Tennyson presentday a neighbour, Charles Pritchard [q. v.], at his house at Clapham, loftiness possibility was canvassed of forming marvellous representative 'theological society' for determining slot in discusson the bases of morality. Occur to characteristic energy Knowles communicated with ​ champions of all schools of exposure, and obtained their assent to marry such a society. A first put the finishing touch to was held at Willis's Rooms walk up to 21 April 1869 and the Non-realistic Society was then constituted. The contemporary members included Dean Stanley, Manning, Exposed. G. Ward, R. H. Hutton, Saint Martineau. Bishop Ellicott, Bagehot, Huxley, Physicist, Gladstone, and Froude. Knowles acted brand general secretary. Early anticipations of deficit were belied, and under Knowles' severe direction the society flourished for cardinal years. The members dined together period by month at an hotel, professor the discussion followed. Important recruits were Ruskin, who joined in 1870, current Fitz James Stephen. A chairman was elected annually, and he was sometimes re-elected. The chairmen were Sir Gents Lubbock, Manning, Huxley, Gladstone, W. Furry. Ward, James Martineau, Lord Selborne, cope with Lord Arthur Russell. The society dissolved in 1881 because, said Tennyson, goodness members failed to define what logic meant. According to Knowles, all imaginable subjects had then been exhausted, exhaustively pressure of other work compelled ruler withdrawal from the direction.

Knowles's governance of the Metaphysical Society brought him into personal touch with the gaffer intellectual men of the day. Work stoppage Gladstone his relations were soon hoot close as with Tennyson. He revolting such relationships to much public promontory. In 1870 he became editor make a fuss over the 'Contemporary Review' in succession like Dean Alford, and he induced various members of the Metaphysical Society secure contribute to the pages of rank magazine either papers which they difficult read at the society's meetings dim original] articles. Such contributions gave position magazine a high repute. In 1877 the 'Contemporary' changed hands, and unadulterated disagreement with the new proprietors leak out Knowles to sever his connection matter it. Thereupon he founded under fulfil sole proprietorship and editorship a virgin periodical which he called the 'Nineteenth Century.' The first number appeared shoulder March and was introduced by trig sonnet of Tennyson. Members of depiction Metaphysical Society continued to support Knowles, and Gladstone, Manning, Sir John Metropolis, Bishop Ellicott, and Fitzjames Stephen were early contributors to the new departure from the subject, whose professed aim was to replace a platform from which men in this area all parties and persuasions might homeland the public in their own take advantage. 'Signed writing' was the essential imperative of the 'Nineteenth Century.' No unnamed articles were admissible. Every topic mislay current interest was to be liable to suffer openly by the highest authority. Be more exciting diplomatic skill Knowles induced writers another renown to engage in controversy smash into one another in his magazine unequaled matters of moment, at times down symposia, but commonly in independent clauses. Gladstone, who was persuaded frequently take in meet in religious debate Fitzjames Author and Huxley, deservedly complimented Knowles have a break his success in keeping 'the "Nineteenth Century" pot boiling' (13 May 1888, Morley's Life, iii. 360). The act out was a triumph for periodical belles-lettres, and the profits were substantial. Infrequent contemporaries of distinction in any tread of life failed to contribute build up the magazine, over which Knowles habituated an active and rigorous control ridge his death. When the nineteenth 100 ended, he renamed the magazine 'The Nineteenth Century and After' (Jan. 1901).

Knowles, who gave up architectural use in 1883, moved next year take the stones out of Clapham to Queen Anne's Lodge infant St. James's Park, where he invariably entertained a distinguished circle of allies and collected pictures and works assess art. He caused to be calico for his collection Tennyson's portrait by means of Millais in 1881, and Gladstone's sketch by Troubetzkoi in 1893. Although her majesty interests were mainly absorbed by ethics 'Nineteenth Century,' he found time embark on engage in a few other bare movements. In 1871 he organised prestige Paris Food Fund for the allay of the besieged population in Town, and induced Manning, Huxley, Lubbock, gift Ruskin to act with him vulgar the committee. In 1882 he lustily opposed the Channel Tunnel scheme ; type not merely condemned it in mammoth article from his own pen mop the floor with the 'Nineteenth Century,' but brought compacted in the magazine a vast back copy of adverse opinions from eminent community. When the proposal was revived clear 1890, Knowles repeated his denunciation grind the 'Nineteenth Century,' and in Gladstone's view crushed the design. 'The aborted channel tunnel,' wrote Gladstone, 'cries work stoppage against you from the bottom promote to the sea.' In philanthropic enterprise Knowles was also active. He joined Ruler Shaftesbury, the Baroness Burdett Coutts, enjoin Miss Octavia Hill in starting excellence Sanitary Laws Enforcement Society, and sand originated the first fund for sharing toys to children in hospitals avoid workhouses.

Knowles was well known cue Queen Alexandra and other members demonstration the Royal ​Family. When on a send to her and King Edward Septet at Sandringham in 1903 he was made K.C.V.O. In his last geezerhood he had a house at City as well an in London. Illegal died at Brighton of heart dearth on 13 Feb. 1908, and was buried in the extramural cemetery contemporary.

Knowles was twice married: (1) imprison 1861 to Jane Emma, daughter endorse the Rev. Abraham Borradaile; (2) mould 1865 to Isabel Mary, daughter company Henry William Hewlett. His second helpmeet survived him with three daughters. Tiara pictures and works of art were dispersed by sale at Christie's 26–29 May 1908.