Knox, Sir Edward, 1819 – 1901

Sir Edward Knox (1819-1901), sugar-refiner, banker and parliamentarian, was born at Helsingor, Denmark. After commercial training in Denmark he entered his uncle's London merchant house as a junior clerk. He decided to travel to Australia, arriving on 26 February, 1840.

By 1842 Knox had become manager of the Australian Auction Company and in 1843 transferred to the Australasian Sugar Company. In 1855 this company merged to become the Colonial Sugar Refining Company with which Sir Edward Knox remained associated until his death. He was also a director and chairman of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney at various times from 1845 to 1901, a chairman and trustee of the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company, a founding member of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce and a director of the Royal Exchange of Sydney. He also had pastoral interests in Queensland.

Knox was appointed a member of the NSW Legislative Council (1856-1857) and was re-appointed in 1881, but resigned due to ill health in 1894.

Sir Edward Knox had a close association with the Anglican Church in Sydney, St. Andrew's Cathedral and various other churches and church-related organizations. He was also a founding director of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the Union Club, of which he was President from 1882 to 1901.