John knox dictionary of national biography ukulele

​KNOX, JOHN (1720–1790), Scottish philanthropist, a native of Scotland, born in 1720, followed for many years the trade of bookseller in the Strand, London, retired with a large fortune, and from 1764 until his death devoted himself to the improvement of the fisheries and manufactures of Scotland.

Between 1764 and 1775 he made sixteen tours through Scotland. The Highland Society of London gave him every assistance and encouragement, and he was a leading member of the British society formed in Scotland for extending the fisheries and improving the sea-coast.

This society was incorporated by act of parliament in 1786.

Knox's earliest work, ‘A View of the British Empire, more especially Scotland, with some Proposals for the Improvement of that Country, the Extension of its Fisheries, and the Relief of the People,’ was published anonymously in 1784, while Knox was living at Richmond, Surrey, and was dedicate