Richard Brinsley Knowles
Encyclopedia
Richard Brinsley Knowles (17 January 1820 – 28 January 1882) was a British journalist.
Knowles, son of James Sheridan Knowles
, dramatist, was born at Glasgow
and about 1838 held an appointment in the registrar-general's office, Somerset House, London. He was admitted a student of the Middle Temple
on 14 November 1839, and called to the bar 26 May 1843.
His tastes, however, inclined towards literature, and on 19 November 1845 he produced at the Haymarket Theatre
a comedy, ‘The Maiden Aunt,’ which, aided by the acting of William Farren and Mrs. Glover, had a run of thirty nights. In 1849 he joined the church of Rome, and became editor of the ‘Catholic Standard,’ a publication which was subsequently purchased by Henry Wilberforce, and re-named the ‘Weekly Register.’ From 1853 to 1855 he edited the ‘Illustrated London Magazine,’ a series of five volumes. He was one of the chief writers on the ‘Standard’ from 1857 to 1860, but some display of religious intolerance on the part of the proprietors led to an abrupt termination of his engagement.
Professor John Sherren Brewer
, who was then conducting the paper, indignant at the treatment of his colleague, at once relinquished his editorship. Knowles was afterwards editor of the ‘London Review,’ but in later years his chief engagement was on the ‘Morning Post
,’ until ill-health obliged him to resign his connection with that paper.
He edited the Chronicles of John of Oxenedes (Chronica Johannis de Oxenedes
), a manuscript copy of which was found in the Duke of Newcastle
's collection; and his edition was published in 1859 in the Rolls Series
. In 1871 he was engaged under the royal commission on historical manuscripts, and described many valuable collections of family muniments, chiefly belonging to Roman Catholic families. Among these were the collections of the Marquess of Bute
, the Earl of Denbigh
, the Earl of Ashburnham
, and Colonel Towneley.
He was the author in 1872 of The Life of James Sheridan Knowles, an edition of twenty-five copies for private circulation.
He died suddenly at 29 North Bank, Regent's Park, London, 28 January 1882, having married on 25 October 1845 Eliza Mary, youngest child of Peter and Elizabeth Crowley of Dublin, and sister of Nicholas Joseph Crowley
(1819–1857), painter.
Knowles, son of James Sheridan Knowles
James Sheridan Knowles
James Sheridan Knowles , Irish dramatist and actor, was born in Cork.-Biography:His father was the lexicographer James Knowles , cousin of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The family removed to London in 1793, and at the age of fourteen Knowles published a ballad entitled The Welsh Harper, which, set to...
, dramatist, was born at Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and about 1838 held an appointment in the registrar-general's office, Somerset House, London. He was admitted a student of the Middle Temple
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
on 14 November 1839, and called to the bar 26 May 1843.
His tastes, however, inclined towards literature, and on 19 November 1845 he produced at the Haymarket Theatre
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
a comedy, ‘The Maiden Aunt,’ which, aided by the acting of William Farren and Mrs. Glover, had a run of thirty nights. In 1849 he joined the church of Rome, and became editor of the ‘Catholic Standard,’ a publication which was subsequently purchased by Henry Wilberforce, and re-named the ‘Weekly Register.’ From 1853 to 1855 he edited the ‘Illustrated London Magazine,’ a series of five volumes. He was one of the chief writers on the ‘Standard’ from 1857 to 1860, but some display of religious intolerance on the part of the proprietors led to an abrupt termination of his engagement.
Professor John Sherren Brewer
John Sherren Brewer
John Sherren Brewer was an English clergyman, historian and scholar. He was a brother of E. Cobham Brewer, compiler of Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable.- Birth and education :Born in Norwich, the son of a Baptist schoolmaster...
, who was then conducting the paper, indignant at the treatment of his colleague, at once relinquished his editorship. Knowles was afterwards editor of the ‘London Review,’ but in later years his chief engagement was on the ‘Morning Post
Morning Post
The Morning Post, as the paper was named on its masthead, was a conservative daily newspaper published in London from 1772 to 1937, when it was acquired by The Daily Telegraph.- History :...
,’ until ill-health obliged him to resign his connection with that paper.
He edited the Chronicles of John of Oxenedes (Chronica Johannis de Oxenedes
Chronica Johannis de Oxenedes
The Chronica Johannis de Oxenedes is a medieval chronicle written in Latin, probably around 1290.-Authorship:The chronicle was written by a monk of the Benedictine abbey of St...
), a manuscript copy of which was found in the Duke of Newcastle
Duke of Newcastle
Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a title which has been created three times in British history while the title of Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne has been created once. The title was created for the first time in the Peerage of England in 1664 when William Cavendish, 1st Marquess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne...
's collection; and his edition was published in 1859 in the Rolls Series
Rolls Series
The Rolls Series, official title The Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages, is a major collection of British and Irish historical materials and primary sources, published in the second half of the 19th century. Some 255 volumes, representing 99 separate...
. In 1871 he was engaged under the royal commission on historical manuscripts, and described many valuable collections of family muniments, chiefly belonging to Roman Catholic families. Among these were the collections of the Marquess of Bute
Marquess of Bute
Marquess of the County of Bute, shortened in general usage to Marquess of Bute, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1796 for John Stuart, 4th Earl of Bute.-Family history:...
, the Earl of Denbigh
Earl of Denbigh
Earl of Denbigh is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1622 for the courtier and soldier William Feilding, 1st Viscount Feilding. He was Master of the Great Wardrobe under King James I and also took part in the Expedition to Cádiz of 1625...
, the Earl of Ashburnham
Earl of Ashburnham
The title Baron Ashburnham , of Ashburnham in the County of Sussex, was created in the Peerage of England in 1689 for John Ashburnham, grandson of the John Ashburnham who assisted King Charles I to escape from Oxford and Hampton Court Palace...
, and Colonel Towneley.
He was the author in 1872 of The Life of James Sheridan Knowles, an edition of twenty-five copies for private circulation.
He died suddenly at 29 North Bank, Regent's Park, London, 28 January 1882, having married on 25 October 1845 Eliza Mary, youngest child of Peter and Elizabeth Crowley of Dublin, and sister of Nicholas Joseph Crowley
Nicholas Joseph Crowley
Nicholas Joseph Crowley was born in Ireland, and was elected a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1838. In that year he came to London, and his works were constantly to be seen in the Royal Academy Exhibitions. The first picture which he exhibited in London, in 1835, was 'The Eventful...
(1819–1857), painter.