James Sheridan Knowles (1784-1862) was a playwright and author. Knowles was born on 12 May 1784 in Cork, Ireland. His family moved to London in 1793. Knowles studied medicine and obtained a M.D. from the university of Aberdeen. Knowles eventually gave up medicine for writing and teaching. His first play, Caius Gracchus, was produced in Belfast in 1815. Subsequent works met with reasonable success. Knowles died on 30 November 1862 in Torquay, Ireland.

Major works by Knowles:

• Dramatic works:
  • Caius Gracchus, 1815
  • Virginius, 1820
  • William Tell, 1825
  • Alfred the Great, 1831
  • The Hunchback, 1832,
  • The Wife, a Tale of Mantua, 1833
  • The Beggar of Bethnal Green, 1834
  • The Daughter, 1837
  • The Love Chase, 1837
  • Woman's Wit, 1838
  • The Maid of Mariendor, 1838
  • Love, 1839
  • John of Procida, 1840
  • Old Maids, 1841
  • The Rose of Arragon, 1842
  • The Secretary, 1843
• Poetical Works
  • The Welch Harper, 1796
  • Fugutive Pieces, 1810
  • Leo, or the Gipsy, 1810
  • Brian Boroihme, or the Maid of Erin, 1811
  • A Masque on the Death of Sir Walter Scott, 1832
  • The Bridal, 1837
  • Alexina, 1863