Knowles, Michael Clive (1896-1974)

English historian renowned for his influential studies of monasticism in England and his works on medieval history. A monk of the Benedictine order, he held professorships in history at Cambridge 1946-63. His most famous works are The Monastic Orders in England, 1940, and The Religious Orders in England (3 volumes), 1948-59.

Knowles was born at Studley, Warwickshire, and educated at Downside College, Christ's College, Cambridge, and Collegio Sant' Anselmo, Rome. He returned to Downside to join the Benedictine Order there in 1914. He was a fellow of Peterhouse College, Cambridge 1944-63, during which period he became university lecturer in history (1946), professor of medieval history (1947-54, and professor of modern history, 1954-63. His other publications include The Religious Houses of Medieval England, 1940, Evolution of Medieval Thought, 1962, and Thomas Becket, 1970.