Benjamin Knight
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Knight was a New England
industrialist and philanthropist, who was a partner with his brother Robert Knight
in the B. B. & R. Knight Company and was one of the largest textile
manufacturers in the world when he died in 1898. Knight co-founded the large and famous brand, Fruit of the Loom
.
on October 3, 1813 to Stephen Knight and Weltham Brayton. Knight worked on the family farm until he was 18 and went to work at Sprague Print Works in Cranston, but eventually returned to farming. In 1835 he opened a general grocery store near the print works. In 1838 he moved to Providence, and founded Winsor, Knight & Company, a grocery business, with Onley Winsor and L. E. Bowen and eventually his brother, Jeremiah Knight, and the firm became B. B. Knight & Co. Knight later partnered with D. T. Penniman as Penniman, Knight & Company in the flour and grain trade in the Amasa Mason Block on Dyer street Providence, Rhode Island
. After buying out Penniman, Knight continued alone for about four years until 1849 when he sold his grocery business to Jeremiah. In 1852 Knight sold half of his flour and grain interest to Robert Knight
, another brother. He then purchased from Robert a one-half interest in the Pontiac Mill and Bleachery, and the firm of B. B. and R. Knight was formed. The brothers later began to focus solely on the textile manufacturing. The company became the largest textile manufacturer in the world. Benjamin Knight also served as in several political offices, including as a member of the General Assembly
and city alderman. Knight also became involved in various banking and insurance companies.
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
industrialist and philanthropist, who was a partner with his brother Robert Knight
Robert Knight (industrialist)
Robert Knight was a New England industrialist and philanthropist, who was a partner with his brother Benjamin Knight in B. B. & R. Knight and was one of the largest textile manufacturers in the world when he died in 1912...
in the B. B. & R. Knight Company and was one of the largest textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
manufacturers in the world when he died in 1898. Knight co-founded the large and famous brand, Fruit of the Loom
Fruit of the Loom
Fruit of the Loom is an American company which manufactures clothing, particularly underwear. The company's world headquarters is in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is currently a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.-Company profile:...
.
Early life
Benjamin Brayton Knight was born in Cranston, Rhode IslandCranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
on October 3, 1813 to Stephen Knight and Weltham Brayton. Knight worked on the family farm until he was 18 and went to work at Sprague Print Works in Cranston, but eventually returned to farming. In 1835 he opened a general grocery store near the print works. In 1838 he moved to Providence, and founded Winsor, Knight & Company, a grocery business, with Onley Winsor and L. E. Bowen and eventually his brother, Jeremiah Knight, and the firm became B. B. Knight & Co. Knight later partnered with D. T. Penniman as Penniman, Knight & Company in the flour and grain trade in the Amasa Mason Block on Dyer street Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. After buying out Penniman, Knight continued alone for about four years until 1849 when he sold his grocery business to Jeremiah. In 1852 Knight sold half of his flour and grain interest to Robert Knight
Robert Knight (industrialist)
Robert Knight was a New England industrialist and philanthropist, who was a partner with his brother Benjamin Knight in B. B. & R. Knight and was one of the largest textile manufacturers in the world when he died in 1912...
, another brother. He then purchased from Robert a one-half interest in the Pontiac Mill and Bleachery, and the firm of B. B. and R. Knight was formed. The brothers later began to focus solely on the textile manufacturing. The company became the largest textile manufacturer in the world. Benjamin Knight also served as in several political offices, including as a member of the General Assembly
Rhode Island General Assembly
The State of Rhode Island General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. A bicameral body, it is composed of the lower Rhode Island House of Representatives with 75 representatives, and the upper Rhode Island Senate with 38 senators...
and city alderman. Knight also became involved in various banking and insurance companies.