author
Sir James Knowles
1831–1908
An energetic Victorian man of letters, he moved easily between architecture, publishing, and big public debates. Best known for founding The Nineteenth Century, he helped shape the intellectual conversation of late 19th-century Britain.
1 Audiobook
The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights
by Sir James Knowles, Sir Thomas Malory
About the author
Born in 1831, this English writer, architect, and editor trained for architecture at University College London and also studied in Italy. He followed his father into the profession, designed houses and churches, and became known in literary circles as well as architectural ones.
His widest influence came through journalism and public discussion. In 1877 he founded The Nineteenth Century, a major monthly review that published leading voices on politics, religion, science, and culture. He was also closely connected with Alfred, Lord Tennyson and played a central role in the Metaphysical Society, which brought together prominent thinkers to debate faith and modern ideas.
Knowles also wrote and adapted popular retellings of the King Arthur legends, helping bring medieval stories to a broad Victorian audience. He was knighted and later received the KCVO, and he died in 1908.