John Ward Knowles (1838–1931) was a prominent British York-based stained-glass manufacturer, and commentator on local art and music.
Enthused by the work of Tiffany, he attempted an English version of the famous lamps, but charming though his prototypes were, they lacked the delicacy of the originals and failed to catch on.
In 1869 John Ward Knowles took the premises at No.41, (The Star Inn) previously the house of Mr Robinson, Hosier.
The building still retains much of Knowles' work, installed when he lived here including a collection of priceless late Victorian and Edwardian stained glass.
The building remained in the Knowles family until 1999 when it was purchased by Jonathan Cainer to become the world's first psychic museum.