Stuart Knill

His step-sister was Jane Knill, the third wife of the architect Augustus Pugin.

As a devout Catholic, only the second to be selected as Mayor since the Reformation, he had certain difficulties in coping with the traditions of the office caused by his refusal to enter a Protestant church.

He was nevertheless given the honour of a baronetcy in 1893 to celebrate the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York.

In 1897, Knill transferred his aldermanry to the adjacent ward of Bridge Without to make room for his son Sir John Knill, 2nd Baronet, who became Lord Mayor in turn in 1909.

He was created a Knight of St. Gregory by the Pope and an officer of the Order of St Leopold by the King of the Belgians.