Tony Knowland

Tony Knowland in 1943

Anthony Stephen Knowland (22 March 1919 – 10 December 2006) was a professor of English literature, specialising in the work of W. B. Yeats, William Shakespeare, and classical Greek literature. Apart from his passion for literature, he loved music, was an accomplished pianist, and an enthusiastic cook. He was a committed humanist and pacifist.

Early life and education

Knowland was born in Hove, Sussex, one of seven children of Albert James Knowland and Maria Maud Knowland (née Sturley). He was educated at Dulwich College and later at Frensham Heights, Surrey, where he became head boy and studied Latin and Greek. He won an open exhibition to Exeter College, Oxford, in 1938. There he read classics until the outbreak of the Second World War, gaining a "wartime" degree. In 1947, he returned to Exeter College, where he read English. He gained a first-class degree and was invited to Toronto University as lecturer in English in 1950.

Conscientious objector

As a captain in the Suffolk 3rd Division of the British Army, Knowland was involved in planning the Second Front. However, he became a conscientious objector before the invasion and was court-martialled in 1944. He was represented at the court martial by Raymond Blackburn, dismissed from service, and confined to Windsor Castle for two months because of his knowledge of the invasion plans. On his release, he was employed as a teacher at Frensham Heights, although within weeks as a civilian, he was called up again and had to put his case to the Conscientious Objectors Tribunal at Reading, where it was decreed that, having once put himself at risk of imprisonment, he should be allowed to stand down and return to teaching.

Magee University, Derry

In 1953, he took up a post at Magee University, Derry, where he was elected to the chair of English. At Magee, as well as directing several Shakespeare plays, he founded a music society at which many distinguished musicians performed, including Julian Bream, Amaryllis Fleming, Alan Loveday, Lamar Crowson, Frederick Grinke, and a 14-year-old Jacqueline du Pré. Contrary to the prevailing ethos of the university, Knowland insisted that Roman Catholics be allowed to join the society.

St Clare's, Oxford

In 1960, he joined St Clare's, Oxford, and was responsible for directing the academic programme for external London degrees and a liberal arts programme for visiting American students. Knowland became vice principal in 1972.

Personal life

In December 1943, Knowland married Barbara Amy Morris (1 May 1926 – 4 August 2014), the eldest daughter of John Morris (co-founder of Boriswood publishers) and Pamela Paramythioti (co-founder of St Clare's, Oxford) and granddaughter of the composer Amy Horrocks. Living in Oxford and finally, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, they had five children.