McKnight, Robert, 1820-1885

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Born on January 27, 1820, the fourth of seven children of William (1775-1848) and Catherine ((McClurg), b. 1791) McKnight, Robert McKnight attended private school in Xenia, Ohio, before attending the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University. Upon his graduation in 1839, McKnight returned to Pittsburgh where he worked in the law offices of Biddle and Bradford. Following his admittance to the bar in 1842, he entered into partnership with Henry S. Magraw and went on to become solicitor for the Bank of Pittsburgh in 1846. He married Elizabeth O'Hara Denny (1824-1896) on May 27, 1847, with whom he had ten children. He served as a Pittsburgh city councilman from 1847 to 1849 and as a United States congressman representing Pennsylvania from 1859 to 1863. When his time spent in public service concluded, McKnight returned to his law practice. McKnight died in Pittsburgh on October 25, 1885, and was buried in Allegheny Cemetery.

From the description of Diaries of Robert McKnight, 1842-1843, 1846-1847. (University of Pittsburgh). WorldCat record id: 31528497

From the description of Diaries of Robert McKnight, 1842-1843, 1846-1847 [electronic resource]. (University of Pittsburgh). WorldCat record id: 671398793

Pittsburgh lawyer and United States congressman, Robert McKnight was born on January 27, 1820. He graduated from Princeton college in 1839 and studied law in the offices of Biddle and Bradford in Pittsburgh. After passing the bar in 1842, he entered into partnership with Henry S. Magraw. McKnight was a city councilman, 1847-1849, and elected to the 36th and 37th congresses of the United States House of Representatives (1859-1863). In 1847, he married Elizabeth O'Hara Denny (1824-1896). They had ten children. Robert McKnight died on October 25, 1885.

From the description of Robert McKnight diaries 1839-1847. (Historical Society of W Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 37950873

Robert McKnight, born in Pittsburgh, was a congressman from Pennsylvania.

He graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1839, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and commenced practice in Pittsburgh. McKnight was city councilman from 1847 to 1849 and was elected as a Republican representative to the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1859-March 3, 1863); later he resumed the practice of his profession.

From the description of Robert McKnight collection, 1843-1844. (Princeton University Library). WorldCat record id: 179276290

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Denny-O'Hara family. Papers 1769-1949 1769-1875. Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives
creatorOf McKnight, Robert, 1820-1885. Diaries of Robert McKnight, 1842-1843, 1846-1847. University of Pittsburgh
creatorOf McKnight, Robert, 1820-1885. Robert McKnight collection, 1843-1844. Princeton University Library
creatorOf McKnight, Robert, 1820-1885. Diaries of Robert McKnight, 1842-1843, 1846-1847 [electronic resource]. University of Pittsburgh
creatorOf McKnight, Robert, 1820-1885. Robert McKnight diaries 1839-1847. Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Athenaeum (Pittsburgh, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Athenaeum (Pittsburgh, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Biddle, Richard, 1796-1847. person
associatedWith Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. person
associatedWith Denny, Elizabeth O'Hara, 1824-1896. person
associatedWith Denny-O'Hara family. family
associatedWith Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870. person
associatedWith Exchange Hotel (Pittsburgh, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Exchange Hotel (Pittsburgh, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841. person
associatedWith Henry Clay Club (Allegheny County, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Henry Clay Club (Pittsburgh, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Irving, Washington, 1783-1859. person
associatedWith McKnight, Elizabeth O'Hara Denny, 1824-1896. person
associatedWith McKnight family. family
associatedWith Monongahela House (Pittsburgh, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Monongahela House (Pittsburgh, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Schenley, Edward. person
associatedWith Schenley, Mary Croghan, 1826-1903. person
associatedWith Schenley, Mary Croghan, 1827-1903. person
associatedWith Scully, Charles Bonaventure, 1818-1874. person
associatedWith University of Pittsburgh. University Library System. Digital Research Library. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Deer Creek (Pa. : Township)
United States
South Side (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
South Side (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
United States
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Deer Creek (Pa. : Township)
Subject
Business
City council members
Lawyers
Lawyers
Legislators
Occupation
Activity

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Birth 1820-01-20

Death 1885-10-25

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