Richard Payne Knight

Wikipedia Biographical Summary

Richard Payne Knight (15 February 1750 – 23 April 1824) was a classical scholar, connoisseur, archaeologist and numismatist best known for his theories of picturesque beauty and for his interest in ancient phallic imagery.

Biography

He was born at Wormesley Grange, five miles north west of Hereford in Herefordshire, UK, was the son of Rev. Thomas Knight (1697–1764) and nephew and heir of Richard Knight (1693–1765) of Croft Castle. His father and his uncle were two of the sons of Richard Knight, a wealthy Ironmaster of Bringewood Ironworks. He was educated at home. Due to ill health, his actual years of education were few, but his inherited wealth allowed him to supplement it with travel.

He toured Italy and the European continent from 1767 for several years. He was a collector of ancient bronzes and coins, and an author of numerous books and articles on ancient sculpture, coins and other artefacts. As a member of the Society of Dilettanti, Knight was widely considered to be an arbiter of taste. He expended much careful study on an edition of Homer.

He was a Member of Parliament from 1780 to 1806, though more a spectator than an actual participant in the debates. Beginning in 1814, he was a trustee of the British Museum, to which he bequeathed his collection of bronzes, coins, engraved gems, marbles, and drawings.

He is buried in the churchyard of St Mary's Church, Wormsley, and his chest tomb has been designated as a Grade II listed building.

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SOURCE: Wikipedia contributors, 'Richard Payne Knight', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 29 December 2013, 21:32 UTC, <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Payne_Knight&oldi...> [accessed 13 January 2014]