Born on 1 September 1878, the son of Athro Alfred Knight, Athro Charles Knight was educated at Dulwich College and Lincoln’s Inn, and qualified as a solicitor in 1902. He went on to become a senior partner of Mackrell, Ward and Knight, solicitors of Ironmonger Lane. He was admitted to the freedom of the City in 1912, and began to take a keen interest in City life. He served two stints from 1919-21 and 1924-25 as Undersheriff of London. In the course of an extensive public career, Knight served as a deputy for Cheap ward, and from 1934 to 1937 represented Islington North on the London County Council.

Knight became Upper Warden of the Fletchers in the first year of the new governing structure of a master and two wardens introduced in 1933, and succeeded as master in the following year.  In later life, he also went on to serve as Master Scrivener (1943-4), Master Tallow Chandler (1947), and Master Barber Surgeon (1949-50). He took a keen interest in the history of the City of London, on which he published a number of books, including a history of Cordwainer Ward and a history of the Tallow Chandlers’ Company, as well as serving on the council of the London Topographical Society. Knight married Violet Evelyn Turner; they had a daughter. He died on 10 May 1958.

(Sources: Who’s Who)

Image: Athro Charles Knight, in the official dress of an undersheriff of London, by Daniel Pender Davidson, oil on canvas, 1921. Guildhall Art Gallery acc. no. 4516. Reproduced under creative commons licence.