Abstract
Harold Grove Knight (1880-1965) was a judge in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania for 30 years, including over 20 years as president judge. The Judge Harold G. Knight diaries, 1893-1962, consist of over 40 volumes in which Knight meticulously recorded his daily activities over nearly 70 years. This collection also includes one volume of minutes from Knight's courtroom and one diary from his sister.
Biography/History
Harold Grove Knight was born on September 11, 1880 to Alexander Knight and Cordelia Grove. He studied law with Robert Hinckley of Philadelphia and was admitted to the bar in 1901. After practicing
law for a period of time, he served as a judge in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania for 30 years, including over 20 years as president judge. Knight was active in many local organizations, including Flourtown Fire Company, the Welcome Club, the United Nations Club of Philadelphia, and Valley Forge. He and his wife, Anna M. MacIlhenny, lived in Ambler, Pa. They had three children.
Bibliography
Hunsicker, Clifton Swenk. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania: A History. New York: Lewish Historical Publishing Company, 1923. Page 312.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of over 40 diaries of Hon. Harold G. Knight, dating from 1893 to 1962. The diary entries are extremely detailed, documenting Knight's professional life as he reflected on day's cases, as well as his personal life. Knight attached newspaper clippings, invitations and programs for events he attended, and greeting cards, onto the pages of his diaries. In addition to Judge Knight's diaries, this collection also has one volume of minutes from Knight's courtroom, 1955-1957, and the diary of his sister, Miss. Cordelia E. Knight diary, 1893-1895.
Finding aid prepared by Celia Caust-Ellenbogen and Michael Gubicza through the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories