Thomas Kneen

Who was Thomas Kneen?

Thomas Kneen was His Majesty's Clerk of the Rolls for the Isle of Man, a Member of the House of Keys for Glenfaba, and Captain of the Parish of Onchan

Kneen was brought up in a rural and agriculture background in Andreas. He was educated at Ramsey Grammar School, and subsequently at King William's College. Upon completing his school education he was articled to Alfred Adams and Douglas advocate. He was then admitted to the Manx Bar in 1877 at the age of 24 and commenced practice in Ramsey, and soon obtained a reputation as a sound lawyer. In 1880 upon the elevation of Alfred Adams to Clerk of the Rolls, Dickinson invited him to become his partner in one of the largest legal practices in the Isle of Man. His rival-at the Bar was the Attorney General.

Kneen also took a considerable interest in politics. In this respect he first came to prominence by persuading the rural electors of the insufficient representation of the town of Douglas in the House of Keys. In 1892 he was returned unopposed to the House of Keys to fill the vacancy in the constituency of Glenfaba. His time in the House was short as his legal duties took up his time and he resigned in 1895.