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{{short description|American lawyer}}
{{short description|American lawyer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
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{{infobox officeholder
{{infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = Sir
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Knox Cunningham, [[Queen's Counsel|QC]]
| name = Sir Knox Cunningham
| honorific_suffix = [[Baronet|Bt]]
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|Bt|QC}}
| image = File:Sir-Samuel-Knox-Cunningham-1st-Bt.jpg
| image = File:Sir-Samuel-Knox-Cunningham-1st-Bt.jpg
| caption = Sir Knox Cunningham, 1st Baronet in 1963
| caption = Sir Knox Cunningham, 1st Baronet in 1963
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| birth_name = Samuel Knox Cunningham
| birth_name = Samuel Knox Cunningham
| birth_date = {{birth date|1909|04|03|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1909|04|03|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Fernhill House]], [[Belfast]], [[Ireland]]<ref>https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1909/01616/1647978.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=September 2022}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Ulster]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1976|07|29|1909|04|03|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1976|07|29|1909|04|03|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Minchinhampton]], [[Gloucestershire]]
| death_place = [[Minchinhampton]], [[Gloucestershire]]
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| party = [[Ulster Unionist]]
| party = [[Ulster Unionist]]
| occupation = [[Barrister]]
| occupation = [[Barrister]]
| parents = [[Samuel Cunningham]] <br /> Janet Muir Knox (nee McCosh) of Dalry, Ayrshire
| parents = [[Samuel Cunningham (Northern Ireland politician)|Samuel Cunningham]] <br /> Janet Muir Knox (nee McCosh) of Dalry, Ayrshire
| spouse = Dorothy Enid Riley [[Justice of the Peace|JP]] (m. 2 July 1935)
| spouse = Dorothy Enid Riley [[Justice of the Peace|JP]] (m. 2 July 1935)
| relations = [[James Glencairn Cunningham]] <br /> [[Josias Cunningham]] <br /> [[Dunlop McCosh Cunningham]] <br /> [[Josias Cunningham|Sir Josias Cunningham]]
| relations = [[James Glencairn Cunningham]] <br /> [[Josias Cunningham]] <br /> [[Dunlop McCosh Cunningham]] <br /> [[Josias Cunningham|Sir Josias Cunningham]]
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}}
}}


'''Sir Samuel Knox Cunningham, 1st Baronet''', [[Queen's Counsel|QC]] (3 April 1909 – 29 July 1976), was a [[Northern Irish]] barrister, businessman and politician. As an [[Ulster Unionist Party|Ulster Unionist]] politician at a time when the Unionists were part of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], he was also a significant figure in [[United Kingdom]] politics as [[Parliamentary Private Secretary]] to [[Harold Macmillan]]. His nephew was [[Josias Cunningham|Sir Josias Cunningham]].
'''Sir Samuel Knox Cunningham, 1st Baronet''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|QC}} (3 April 1909 – 29 July 1976) was a [[Northern Irish]] barrister, businessman and politician. As an [[Ulster Unionist Party|Ulster Unionist]] politician at a time when the Unionists were part of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], he was also a significant figure in [[United Kingdom]] politics as [[Parliamentary Private Secretary]] to [[Harold Macmillan]]. His nephew was [[Josias Cunningham|Sir Josias Cunningham]].


==Early career==
==Early career==
Cunningham was from an [[Ulster]] family. His father was [[Samuel Cunningham]], and his mother was Janet Muir Knox (nee McCosh) of Dalry, Ayrshire. His elder brothers were Colonel [[James Glencairn Cunningham]], [[Josias Cunningham]] stockbroker, [[Dunlop McCosh Cunningham]] owner of [[Murrays tobacco works]], Belfast. He was sent to the [[Royal Belfast Academical Institution]], and then to [[Fettes College]] in [[Edinburgh]]. He then won a place at [[Clare College, Cambridge|Clare College]], [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] - where he was heavy-weight boxing champion. The Cunningham family still remain prominent landowners around the Parkgate area of South Antrim with relatives including great nephews Joe, Richard and Garret still residing on the family estate. The family had considerable business interests in land, Tobacco, commerce and finance.
Cunningham was from an [[Ulster]] family. His father was [[Samuel Cunningham (Northern Ireland politician)|Samuel Cunningham]], and his mother was Janet Muir Knox ({{nee|McCosh}}) of Dalry, Ayrshire. His elder brothers were Colonel [[James Glencairn Cunningham]], [[Josias Cunningham]] stockbroker, [[Dunlop McCosh Cunningham]] owner of [[Murrays tobacco works]], Belfast. He was sent to the [[Royal Belfast Academical Institution]], and then to [[Fettes College]] in [[Edinburgh]]. He then won a place at [[Clare College, Cambridge|Clare College]], [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] - where he was heavy-weight boxing champion.<ref>https://www.dib.ie/biography/cunningham-sir-samuel-knox-a2311 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> The family had considerable business interests in land, tobacco, commerce and finance.


From 1931 Cunningham went into business in [[Northern Ireland]]. He married Dorothy Enid Riley [[Justice of the Peace|JP]] on 2 July 1935. Later in the 1930s, Cunningham studied law and was called to the Bar by the [[Middle Temple]] in 1939. During the [[Second World War]] he served in the [[Scots Guards]] although he continued his legal studies, and called to the [[bar (law)|Bar]] in Northern Ireland in 1942. He fought the [[Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast West]] by-election in 1943 and the same seat in the [[1945 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1945 general election]].
From 1931 Cunningham went into business in [[Northern Ireland]]. He married Dorothy Enid Riley [[Justice of the Peace|JP]] on 2 July 1935. Later in the 1930s, Cunningham studied law and was called to the Bar by the [[Middle Temple]] in 1939. During the [[Second World War]] he served in the [[Scots Guards]] although he continued his legal studies, and called to the [[bar (law)|Bar]] in Northern Ireland in 1942. He fought the [[Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast West]] by-election in 1943 and the same seat in the [[1945 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1945 general election]].


After the war Cunningham mainly lived in [[Orpington]], although he retained membership of the Ulster Unionist Council. His religious faith led him to be involved with the World Alliance of [[YMCA]]s from 1947, and he was Chairman of the National Council of the [[YMCA]] in 1949. In 1954 he was elected to Orpington [[Urban District Council]]. Later he maintained a home, the Derhams House, near [[Minchinhampton]], [[Gloucestershire]].
After the war Cunningham mainly lived in [[Orpington]], although he retained membership of the Ulster Unionist Council. His religious faith led him to be involved with the World Alliance of [[YMCA]]s from 1947, and he was Chairman of the National Council of the [[YMCA]] in 1949. In 1954 he was elected to Orpington [[Urban district (England and Wales)|Urban District Council]]. Later he lived at Derhams House, near [[Minchinhampton]], [[Gloucestershire]].<ref>https://www.dib.ie/biography/cunningham-sir-samuel-knox-a2311 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>


==Parliament==
==Parliament==
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==Post-Parliamentary career==
==Post-Parliamentary career==
Cunningham remained on the backbenches, known as one to the right of Ulster Unionism and a friend of [[Ian Paisley]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fernhillhouse.co.uk/history/default.asp?cms=history_John%20Smith%20and%20The%20Cunninghams_Sir+Knox+Cunningham&cmsid=1_11_29&id=29&viewtype=Category |title=Fernhill House History |access-date=12 December 2007 |archive-date=20 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220130410/http://www.fernhillhouse.co.uk/history/default.asp?cms=history_John%20Smith%20and%20The%20Cunninghams_Sir+Knox+Cunningham&cmsid=1_11_29&id=29&viewtype=Category |url-status=dead }}</ref> through the rest of the 1960s, he frequently clashed with Harold Wilson during this period, but decided to retire at the [[1970 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1970 general election]]. He was Master of the [[Drapers Company]] in 1973–74. He was Provincial Grand Master of the Masonic Order in Gloucestershire from 1970-76. He was a member of the [[Apprentice Boys]] Club in [[Derry]] and attended the 275th Anniversary of [[Siege of Derry|the shutting of the gates]]. Throughout his life he represented the old landed interests of Ulster and remained personally wealthy through family inheritance. He died suddenly at Derhams House, [[Minchinhampton]] on 29 July 1976 at the age of sixty-seven.
Cunningham remained on the backbenches, known as one to the right of Ulster Unionism and a friend of [[Ian Paisley]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fernhillhouse.co.uk/history/default.asp?cms=history_John%20Smith%20and%20The%20Cunninghams_Sir+Knox+Cunningham&cmsid=1_11_29&id=29&viewtype=Category |title=Fernhill House History |access-date=12 December 2007 |archive-date=20 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220130410/http://www.fernhillhouse.co.uk/history/default.asp?cms=history_John%20Smith%20and%20The%20Cunninghams_Sir+Knox+Cunningham&cmsid=1_11_29&id=29&viewtype=Category |url-status=dead }}</ref> through the rest of the 1960s, he frequently clashed with Harold Wilson during this period, but decided to retire at the [[1970 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1970 general election]]. He was Master of the [[Drapers Company]] in 1973–74. He was Provincial Grand Master of the Masonic Order in Gloucestershire from 1970 to 1976. He was a member of the [[Apprentice Boys]] Club in [[Derry]] and attended the 275th Anniversary of [[Siege of Derry|the shutting of the gates]]. Throughout his life he represented the old landed interests of Ulster and remained personally wealthy through family inheritance. He died suddenly at Derhams House, [[Minchinhampton]] on 29 July 1976 at the age of sixty-seven.


Military intelligence, the RUC and victims named Cunningham as a paedophile and identified his close links to the sex offender ring at [[Kincora Boys' Home]] but MI5 deny this.<ref>[https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/kincora-campaigners-fury-after-abuse-evidence-is-censored-35432535.html Kincora campaigner's fury after abuse evidence is censored, Belfast Telegraph, 8 February 2017]</ref><ref>[https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/kincora-scandal-i-will-reveal-the-secrets-says-exarmy-officer-colin-wallace-30438022.html Kincora scandal: I will reveal the secrets, says ex-Army officer Colin Wallace, Belfast Telegraph, 17 July 2014]</ref>
Military intelligence, the RUC and victims named Cunningham as a paedophile and identified his close links to the sex offender ring at [[Kincora Boys' Home]] but MI5 deny this.<ref>[https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/kincora-campaigners-fury-after-abuse-evidence-is-censored-35432535.html Kincora campaigner's fury after abuse evidence is censored, Belfast Telegraph, 8 February 2017]</ref><ref>[https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/kincora-scandal-i-will-reveal-the-secrets-says-exarmy-officer-colin-wallace-30438022.html Kincora scandal: I will reveal the secrets, says ex-Army officer Colin Wallace, Belfast Telegraph, 17 July 2014]</ref>

==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|image = Arms of Sir Samuel Knox Cunningham.svg
|escutcheon = Azure, a shake-fork between three mullets or.
|crest = A unicorn's head couped or.
|motto = Over fork over<ref>{{cite book |title=Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage |date=1976|publisher=Kelly's Directories|location=|pages=1498|url=https://archive.org/details/debrettspeerageb0000na/page/1498/mode/2up}}</ref>}}


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:UK MPs 1966–1970]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1966–1970]]
[[Category:Parliamentary Private Secretaries to the Prime Minister]]
[[Category:Parliamentary Private Secretaries to the Prime Minister]]
[[Category:Ulster Unionist Party members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ulster Unionist Party MPs]]
[[Category:People educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution]]
[[Category:People educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Belfast]]
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland Queen's Counsel]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland King's Counsel]]
[[Category:Protestants from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Protestants from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:YMCA leaders]]
[[Category:YMCA leaders]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Belfast]]

Latest revision as of 17:13, 30 November 2024

Sir Knox Cunningham
Bt QC
Sir Knox Cunningham, 1st Baronet in 1963
Member of Parliament
for South Antrim
In office
26 May 1955 – 29 May 1970
Preceded byDouglas Savory
Succeeded byJames Molyneaux
Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
In office
1959–1963
Prime MinisterHarold Macmillan
Preceded byAnthony Barber
Succeeded byFrancis Pearson
Personal details
Born
Samuel Knox Cunningham

(1909-04-03)3 April 1909
Fernhill House, Belfast, Ireland[1]
Died29 July 1976(1976-07-29) (aged 67)
Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire
Political partyUlster Unionist
SpouseDorothy Enid Riley JP (m. 2 July 1935)
RelationsJames Glencairn Cunningham
Josias Cunningham
Dunlop McCosh Cunningham
Sir Josias Cunningham
Parent(s)Samuel Cunningham
Janet Muir Knox (nee McCosh) of Dalry, Ayrshire
EducationRoyal Belfast Academical Institution
Fettes College, Edinburgh
Alma materClare College, Cambridge
OccupationBarrister
Military service
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Branch/serviceBritish Army
Years of service1939–1945
UnitScots Guards
Battles/warsSecond World War

Sir Samuel Knox Cunningham, 1st Baronet, QC (3 April 1909 – 29 July 1976) was a Northern Irish barrister, businessman and politician. As an Ulster Unionist politician at a time when the Unionists were part of the Conservative Party, he was also a significant figure in United Kingdom politics as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Harold Macmillan. His nephew was Sir Josias Cunningham.

Early career

[edit]

Cunningham was from an Ulster family. His father was Samuel Cunningham, and his mother was Janet Muir Knox (née McCosh) of Dalry, Ayrshire. His elder brothers were Colonel James Glencairn Cunningham, Josias Cunningham stockbroker, Dunlop McCosh Cunningham owner of Murrays tobacco works, Belfast. He was sent to the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and then to Fettes College in Edinburgh. He then won a place at Clare College, Cambridge - where he was heavy-weight boxing champion.[2] The family had considerable business interests in land, tobacco, commerce and finance.

From 1931 Cunningham went into business in Northern Ireland. He married Dorothy Enid Riley JP on 2 July 1935. Later in the 1930s, Cunningham studied law and was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 1939. During the Second World War he served in the Scots Guards although he continued his legal studies, and called to the Bar in Northern Ireland in 1942. He fought the Belfast West by-election in 1943 and the same seat in the 1945 general election.

After the war Cunningham mainly lived in Orpington, although he retained membership of the Ulster Unionist Council. His religious faith led him to be involved with the World Alliance of YMCAs from 1947, and he was Chairman of the National Council of the YMCA in 1949. In 1954 he was elected to Orpington Urban District Council. Later he lived at Derhams House, near Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire.[3]

Parliament

[edit]

In the 1955 general election, Cunningham was chosen as the new Ulster Unionist MP for South Antrim. He was a delegate to the Council of Europe and Western European Union Parliamentary Assembly from 1956 to 1959. He also served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Jocelyn Simon, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, from 1958. In 1959 he was made a Queen's Counsel.

After the 1959 general election, Cunningham was picked by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan as his Parliamentary Private Secretary, responsible for the Prime Minister's relations with backbench Conservative MPs. He was also a member of the National Executive of the Conservative and Unionist Party. When Macmillan resigned, he awarded Cunningham a baronetcy in his resignation honours.[4]

Post-Parliamentary career

[edit]

Cunningham remained on the backbenches, known as one to the right of Ulster Unionism and a friend of Ian Paisley,[5] through the rest of the 1960s, he frequently clashed with Harold Wilson during this period, but decided to retire at the 1970 general election. He was Master of the Drapers Company in 1973–74. He was Provincial Grand Master of the Masonic Order in Gloucestershire from 1970 to 1976. He was a member of the Apprentice Boys Club in Derry and attended the 275th Anniversary of the shutting of the gates. Throughout his life he represented the old landed interests of Ulster and remained personally wealthy through family inheritance. He died suddenly at Derhams House, Minchinhampton on 29 July 1976 at the age of sixty-seven.

Military intelligence, the RUC and victims named Cunningham as a paedophile and identified his close links to the sex offender ring at Kincora Boys' Home but MI5 deny this.[6][7]

Arms

[edit]
Coat of arms of Knox Cunningham
Crest
A unicorn's head couped or.
Escutcheon
Azure, a shake-fork between three mullets or.
Motto
Over fork over[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1909/01616/1647978.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ https://www.dib.ie/biography/cunningham-sir-samuel-knox-a2311 [bare URL]
  3. ^ https://www.dib.ie/biography/cunningham-sir-samuel-knox-a2311 [bare URL]
  4. ^ "No. 43164". The London Gazette. 22 November 1963. p. 9515.
  5. ^ "Fernhill House History". Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
  6. ^ Kincora campaigner's fury after abuse evidence is censored, Belfast Telegraph, 8 February 2017
  7. ^ Kincora scandal: I will reveal the secrets, says ex-Army officer Colin Wallace, Belfast Telegraph, 17 July 2014
  8. ^ Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage. Kelly's Directories. 1976. p. 1498.

Sources

[edit]
  • M. Stenton and S. Lees, Who's Who of British MPs, vol. IV (Harvester Press, 1981).
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Prof. Sir Douglas Savory
 MP for South Antrim
1955–1970 		Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
1959–1963 		Succeeded by
Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baronet
(of Crookedstone, Killead)
1963–1976 		Extinct
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