George Knowles

Sir George Knowles CBE
Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department
In office 1932–1946
Personal details
Born	George Shaw Knowles 14 March 1882 Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Died	22 November 1947 (aged 65) Pretoria, South Africa
Resting place	Woden Cemetery
Nationality	Australian
Spouse(s)	Eleanor Louisa (m. 1908)
Occupation	Public servant and diplomat

Sir George Shaw Knowles CBE (14 March 1882 – 22 November 1947) was a senior Australian public servant, solicitor-general and diplomat. Through his appointment to various Australian Government positions, he was recognised as an expert on Australian legal matters, and he was Australia's first High Commissioner to South Africa between 1946 and his death in Pretoria in 1947.

Life and career

Knowles was born in Toowong, Brisbane on 14 March 1882.^[1] He was educated at Toowoomba Grammar School and the University of Melbourne.^[2]

In 1898, Knowles entered the Queensland Public Service, transferring to the Commonwealth Public Service four years later.^[3]

In 1916, Knowles was admitted as barrister and solicitor of the High Court.^[2]

In 1930, Knowles was appointed to the first Council of the Canberra University College, holding the position continuously until his resignation in 1946,^[4] when he left to take on an appointment as Australia's first Australian High Commissioner to South Africa.^[5] He and Lady Knowles journeyed to the post on the steamer Nestor, departing 5 July 1946.^[6]

Between 1932 and 1946, Knowles held the positions of Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth, Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department and Parliamentary Draftsman.^[2]

Knowles died in Pretoria on 22 November 1947, while serving as Australian High Commissioner to South Africa. The South African Government arranged a State funeral to celebrate his life and work.^[7] After the funeral, his body was returned to Australia,^[8] and his remains were interred at Woden Cemetery.^[9]

Awards and honours

In October 1920, Knowles was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.^[10] He was promoted to Commander of the Order in June 1928, whilst a draftsman in the Attorney-General's Department.^[11] In January 1939, whilst serving as Solicitor-General, Knowles was knighted.^[12]

In 1950, Lady Knowles donated money to the Council of the Canberra University College to provide an academic prize memorialising her late husband.^[4] In 1964, Knowles Place in City, Australian Capital Territory, site of the Canberra Law Courts, was named in honour of George Knowles.^[9]

References

1. Whitlam, E.G., "Knowles, Sir George Shaw (1882–1947)", Australian Dictionary of Biography (Australian National University), archived from the original on 9 March 2014
2. "Diplomat's Death in Pretoria: Career of Sir George Knowles". The West Australian. 24 November 1947. p. 13.
3. "Sir George Knowles dead: High Commissioner to South Africa". Recorder (Port Pirie, South Australia). 24 November 1947. p. 1.
4. "George Knowles Memorial Prize". The Canberra Times. 2 May 1950. p. 4.
5. "Sir George Knowles Dies". Chronicle (Adelaide). 27 November 1947. p. 9.
6. "Sir George Knowles departs to-day". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 July 1946. p. 4.
7. "Late Sir George Knowles: State Funeral In South Africa". The West Australian. 25 November 1947. p. 15.
8. "Late Sir George Knowles: South African Tribute". Kalgoorlie Miner. 1 December 1947. p. 1.
9. "KNOWLES George Shaw", Legal Opinions Author Biographies (Australian Government)
10. "Search Australian Honours: KNOWLES, George Shaw", itsanhonour.gov.au (Australian Government), archived from the original on 11 January 2015
11. "Search Australian Honours: KNOWLES, George Shaw", itsanhonour.gov.au (Australian Government), archived from the original on 11 January 2015
12. "Search Australian Honours: KNOWLES, George Shaw", itsanhonour.gov.au (Australian Government), archived from the original on 11 January 2015