Northamptonshire Leaders, Social & Political, by Ernest Gaskill
Most of the smaller towns with which Northamptonshire is studded have one or two strong men, who in County opinion, may be said to represent them, and indeed have been largely their makers. Rushden, in the boot zone, is no exception, and among its leaders is Mr. Fred Knight, of The Old Rectory. Mr. Knight has grown up in this busy centre of boot-making, and has lived his whole life it. Everybody knows him, and everybody has a good word for him. He was born in the town when it was a less important place than it is to-day, and educated in one of the old County Grammar Schools at Higham Ferrers.
Soon after the commencement of his business life in Rushden, Mr. Knight married the daughter of a prominent and popular Nonconformist minister. Mrs. Knight was Miss Elizabeth Marcia Bradfield, the only daughter of the late Rev. R. E. Bradfield, of Rushden, who for many years was a strenuous worker in Northamptonshire in the causes of education and Liberal politics. In Mr. Knight's municipal and political work she has most energetically seconded him. She is deeply interested in the work of the N.S.P.CC, and is District Correspondent for the local Branch. The issue of the marriage is four and a daughter, the eldest of whom is in business with his father, and inherits his love of cricket, playing for the County of Northampton.
Mr. Knight is a thorough-going, consistent Liberal, whose views and words and actions are never ill-liberal. If he is not an unduly aggressive, politician, it is because aggressive Liberalism is unnecessary in Rushden, but he certainly does not belong to the weak fraternity. It is by moderation of method, rather than by holding colourless opinions that Mr. Knight has strength of his Liberalism is only equalled by its courteous aspect. He has never put into political practice the Dickensonian dictum that the best way to disguise a weak case is to abuse the plaintiff’s counsel, because he never had a weak case; at any rate he has never admitted it. There is a tangible distinction in the mind of Mr. Knight, between argument and abuse, and he has managed to reach the head of affairs with making singularly few enemies.
One of his first public posts was on the Urban District Council, and he had the honour in that democratic equal-rights-for-all-men town of occupying the chair for two years in succession. The Council and the town first gave him the highest honour they could bestow in April 1899, and his fine grasp of business, his tact and impartiality led to a united request that he reign a second year. A good deal of progressive work was done during regency—done speedily, thoroughly and well—and some substantial improvements were carried through. The social side of the Mayor's duties was equally happy, and a good many appeals were made, not in vain, to Mayoral exchequer, during the two years. Mrs. Knight was also at head of many charitable movements, and though out of office her interest them is unabated.
Among several other offices which Mr. Knight holds, or has held, is that of Captain of the Fire Brigade, and the value of his many years' services that direction could not easily be measured. There are few smarter brigades in the County. The townspeople have over and over again expressed their admiration for the handling of his force in times of great strain and stress, and the Captain has some thrilling stories of critical moments.
Captain Knight's one game is cricket—to that he gives all his spare enthusiasm and heartily supports the County Club as well as that of Rushden.
He is on the Commission of the Peace for the County, and is a regular attendant at the local sessions, and altogether fills a large place in Rushden life.
