John Knowles (author)
Encyclopedia
John Knowles was the English biographer of Henry Fuseli
, and author of works on Naval architecture
.
. Knowles is best known, however, from his long, intimate friendship with Henry Fuseli
the painter, and the circle to which that artist belonged. He was the executor of Fuseli's will, and a devoted admirer of his art.
Knowles died, unmarried, at Ashburton, Devonshire, on 21 July 1841, aged 60. He was one of the original members of the Athenæum Club, and his portrait, drawn by Charles Landseer, is No. 25 of the series of lithographs, published as Athenæum Portraits, by Thomas McLean. He was corresponding member of the Philosophical Society of Rotterdam.
Henry Fuseli
Henry Fuseli was a British painter, draughtsman, and writer on art, of Swiss origin.-Biography:...
, and author of works on Naval architecture
Naval architecture
Naval architecture is an engineering discipline dealing with the design, construction, maintenance and operation of marine vessels and structures. Naval architecture involves basic and applied research, design, development, design evaluation and calculations during all stages of the life of a...
.
Life
Knowles, born in 1781, early in life became a clerk in the surveyor's department of the navy office. He attained the chief clerkship there about 1806, and held this post until 1832. He published two or three works on naval matters, including The Elements and Practice of Naval Architecture, 1822. For his scientific researches he was elected a fellow of the Royal SocietyRoyal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. Knowles is best known, however, from his long, intimate friendship with Henry Fuseli
Henry Fuseli
Henry Fuseli was a British painter, draughtsman, and writer on art, of Swiss origin.-Biography:...
the painter, and the circle to which that artist belonged. He was the executor of Fuseli's will, and a devoted admirer of his art.
Knowles died, unmarried, at Ashburton, Devonshire, on 21 July 1841, aged 60. He was one of the original members of the Athenæum Club, and his portrait, drawn by Charles Landseer, is No. 25 of the series of lithographs, published as Athenæum Portraits, by Thomas McLean. He was corresponding member of the Philosophical Society of Rotterdam.