Sir Francis Knowles, 5th Baronet

In 1909 he was appointed Assistant to the anatomist, Professor Arthur Thomson, specifically to carry out teaching and research in physical anthropology, the first post of its kind at Oxford University.

He collaborated with Sir Arthur Keith in reports on various skeletal remains, including a paper on Palaeolithic teeth from St. Brelade’s cave, Jersey.

From 1912 to 1919 he held the post of Physical Anthropologist for the Anthropological Division of the Geological Survey of Canada (now part of the Canadian Museum of Civilisation).

His book The Stone-Worker’s Progress (1953) summarized this research, as did a number of papers, including ‘The Manufacture of a Flint Arrowhead by Quartzite Hammer-stone.’ Although by no means a wealthy man, his work at the Pitt Rivers Museum until his death was purely voluntary, due to continued periods of ill health stemming from his contracting typhoid.

In addition to his principal interests in stone tools, techniques and weaponry he contributed to museum documentation which appears to be so much better than others; “It has long been recognised that the quality of the ethnological records at the PRM are second to none, worldwide.....”Pole(evaluation) 2002.

In it he states: “...he was most generous in the gift of his time and knowledge, and of a character to develop in his pupils affection, respect and a desire for hard work.

Both he and Lady Knowles always followed the work of the Museum, of whatever sort, with the greatest and most helpful interest, and knew all of the Staff to the youngest apprentice, and noted their progress with approval.