James Proctor Knott
| J. Proctor Knott | |
|---|---|
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| 29th Governor of Kentucky | |
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In office September 5, 1883 – August 30, 1887 |
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| Lieutenant | James R. Hindman |
| Preceded by | Luke P. Blackburn |
| Succeeded by | Simon B. Buckner |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 4th district |
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In office March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871 |
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| Preceded by | Aaron Harding |
| Succeeded by | William B. Read |
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In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1883 |
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| Preceded by | William B. Read |
| Succeeded by | Thomas B. Robertson |
| Missouri Attorney General | |
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In office 1858–1861 |
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| Preceded by | Ephraim B. Ewing |
| Succeeded by | Aikman Welch |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives | |
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In office 1857–1858 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 29, 1830 Raywick, Kentucky |
| Died | June 18, 1911 (aged 80) Lebanon, Kentucky |
| Resting place | Ryder Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mary E. Forman Sarah R. McElroy |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Signature |  |
James Proctor Knott (August 29, 1830 – June 18, 1911) was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky and served as the 29th Governor of Kentucky from 1883 to 1887. Born in Kentucky, he moved to Missouri in 1850 and began his political career there. He served as Missouri Attorney General from 1859 to 1861, when he resigned rather than swear an oath of allegiance to the federal government just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Knott was disbarred and briefly imprisoned for his refusal to take the oath of allegiance. He returned to Kentucky in 1863 and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1871, he made a notable speech ridiculing a bill to subsidize westward expansion of railroads. In the speech, he lampooned the remote town of Duluth, Minnesota. The Duluth speech was eventually reprinted in several publications and brought Knott national acclaim. He did not stand for re-election in 1870, instead making a failed run for the office of governor. In 1875, he returned to the House and served as chair of the judiciary committee.
In 1883, Knott left Congress and made a successful run for governor. He secured major reforms in education, but was stymied in his pursuit of tax reform. After his term as governor, he was a delegate to the state's constitutional convention in 1891. In 1892, he became a professor at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and helped organized the college's law school in 1894. He served as dean of the law school until an illness forced him to retire in 1902. He died at his home in Lebanon, Kentucky on June 18, 1911.
J. Proctor Knott was born in Raywick, Marion County, Kentucky on August 29, 1830. He was the son of Joseph Percy and Maria Irvine (McElroy) Knott. He was tutored by his father from an early age, and later attended public school in Marion and Shelby counties. In 1846, he began to study law. In May 1850, he relocated to Memphis, Missouri, where he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in 1851. He also served in the offices of the circuit court and county clerks.
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