Thomas Francis Knox
Encyclopedia
Father Francis KnoxFather Francis Knox (born as Thomas Francis Knox; 24 December 1822 — 20 March 1882, London
Knox, whose profile in the Dictionary of New Ulster Biography claims he was born in County Armagh, not Brussels, was an Anglo-Irish ultramontane Roman Catholic priest and author, known for his historical writings and translations.
, Tory MP for Newry
, was a younger son of Thomas Knox, 1st Earl of Ranfurly
. His mother was Mabella Josephine Needham, daughter of Francis Needham, 1st Earl of Kilmorey
.
He was educated at a Hampshire private school and attended Trinity College, Cambridge
, graduating in 1845.
He became a Roman Catholic convert, in 1845 under the influence of Frederick William Faber. Encouraged to travel for two years by his concerned father, Knox hoped to see Mexico but was lucky to survive a shipwreck off Yucatán
. Continuing to the United States, he decided to prepare for ordination in France. Invited to Rome for papal instruction by John Henry Newman in 1847, Knox proceeded as an Oratorian novice, taking Francis as his name in religion, as Father Francis Knox, with half a dozen priests. The rest of his life centred on the Oratorian group in England.
The group based at the Birmingham Oratory
divided in April 1849. Together with Faber, Knox set up the London Oratory
. The splitting up of the original Oratorian group was partly driven by personal difficulties, and in particular Newman’s attitude to Knox, who was proving troublesome. From 1865 to 1868 Knox served a term as superior of the London Oratory.
Knox has been called "the most learned of all the fathers of that time". He translated the autobiography of Henry Suso
in 1865. In 1867 he defended a maximalist interpretation of the doctrine of Papal infallibility
, though in a "dry and moderate tone". Appointed Westminster diocesan
archivist when Cardinal Manning
put the Oratorians in charge of the diocesan archives in 1876, he edited several volumes of English Catholic records.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Knox, whose profile in the Dictionary of New Ulster Biography claims he was born in County Armagh, not Brussels, was an Anglo-Irish ultramontane Roman Catholic priest and author, known for his historical writings and translations.
Life
Knox was the eldest son in a family connected to the Protestant Irish peerage: his father John Henry KnoxJohn Henry Knox
John Henry Knox, was a Tory Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom who represented the constituency of Newry....
, Tory MP for Newry
Newry (UK Parliament constituency)
Newry was a United Kingdom Parliament constituency, in Ireland, returning one MP. It was an original constituency represented in Parliament when the Union of Great Britain and Ireland took effect on 1 January 1801.-Members of Parliament:...
, was a younger son of Thomas Knox, 1st Earl of Ranfurly
Thomas Knox, 1st Earl of Ranfurly
Thomas Knox, 1st Earl of Ranfurly , styled The Honourable between 1781 and 1818 and known as The Viscount Northland between 1818 and 1831, was an Irish peer and politician.-Background:...
. His mother was Mabella Josephine Needham, daughter of Francis Needham, 1st Earl of Kilmorey
Francis Needham, 1st Earl of Kilmorey
Francis Needham, 1st Earl of Kilmorey , known as Francis Needham until 1818 and as The Viscount Kilmorey from 1818 to 1822, was an Anglo-Irish soldier and Member of Parliament....
.
He was educated at a Hampshire private school and attended Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, graduating in 1845.
He became a Roman Catholic convert, in 1845 under the influence of Frederick William Faber. Encouraged to travel for two years by his concerned father, Knox hoped to see Mexico but was lucky to survive a shipwreck off Yucatán
Yucatán
Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida....
. Continuing to the United States, he decided to prepare for ordination in France. Invited to Rome for papal instruction by John Henry Newman in 1847, Knox proceeded as an Oratorian novice, taking Francis as his name in religion, as Father Francis Knox, with half a dozen priests. The rest of his life centred on the Oratorian group in England.
The group based at the Birmingham Oratory
Birmingham Oratory
The Birmingham Oratory is a Catholic oratory and church, on the Hagley Road, in the Birmingham suburb of Edgbaston in England.-History:The church was constructed between 1907 and 1910 in the Baroque style as a memorial to Cardinal Newman, founder of the English Oratory...
divided in April 1849. Together with Faber, Knox set up the London Oratory
London Oratory
The London Oratory is a Catholic oratory, a community of lay-brothers, and the name given to the London Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri...
. The splitting up of the original Oratorian group was partly driven by personal difficulties, and in particular Newman’s attitude to Knox, who was proving troublesome. From 1865 to 1868 Knox served a term as superior of the London Oratory.
Knox has been called "the most learned of all the fathers of that time". He translated the autobiography of Henry Suso
Henry Suso
Henry Suso was a German mystic, born at Überlingen on Lake Constance on March 21, c. 1300; he died at Ulm, January 25, 1366; declared Blessed in 1831 by Gregory XVI, who assigned his feast in the Dominican Order to March 2...
in 1865. In 1867 he defended a maximalist interpretation of the doctrine of Papal infallibility
Papal infallibility
Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church which states that, by action of the Holy Spirit, the Pope is preserved from even the possibility of error when in his official capacity he solemnly declares or promulgates to the universal Church a dogmatic teaching on faith or morals...
, though in a "dry and moderate tone". Appointed Westminster diocesan
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in England. The archdiocese consists of all the London boroughs north of the River Thames and west of the River Lea, together with the towns southwest of Staines and Sunbury-on-Thames and...
archivist when Cardinal Manning
Cardinal Manning
Cardinal Manning may refer to* Henry Edward Manning , English Roman Catholic Archbishop and Cardinal* Timothy Manning , Archbishop of Los Angeles...
put the Oratorians in charge of the diocesan archives in 1876, he edited several volumes of English Catholic records.
Works
- The Life of Blessed Henry Suso by Himself (translation only; 1865)
- When Does The Church Speak Infallibly? or, the nature and scope of the church's teaching office (1867)
- The Last Survivor of the Ancient English Hierarchy, Thomas GoldwellThomas GoldwellThomas Goldwell was an English bishop, the last of those who had refused to accept the English Reformation.-Life:He began his career as rector of Cheriton in 1532, after graduating BA and then MA at All Souls College, Oxford.He became chaplain to Cardinal Pole and lived with him at Rome, was...
, Bishop of St. Asaph (1876). Originally appeared in The MonthThe MonthThe Month was a monthly review, published from 1864 to 2001, which for almost all of its history was owned by the English Province of the Society of Jesus and edited by its members.-History:...
, Jan-Feb 1876. Republished in Thomas Edward BridgettThomas Edward BridgettThomas Edward Bridgett was an English priest and historical writer, born at Derby. He was brought up a Baptist, but in his sixteenth year, while at Tonbridge School, joined the Church of England. In 1847 he entered St John's College, Cambridge, with the intention of taking orders...
, Queen Elizabeth and the Catholic Hierarchy (1889) - (ed. with introduction) The First And Second Diaries Of The English College, DouayEnglish College, DouaiThe English College, Douai was a Catholic seminary associated with the University of Douai . It was established in about 1561, and was suppressed in 1793...
(1878) - (ed. with introduction) The Letters and Memorials of William Cardinal Allen (1882)