Author: KNOX, RONALD A.
Title: Miracles (Association Copy)
Description: London: Catholic Truth Society, N.D.. Original saddle stapled wrappers. With advertisements. Location Ampleforth Abbey. With library annotation on title page and library label on recto back cover. With advertisements. Part spine loosening. Slight wear to spine, covers & corners. ; Father Ronald Arbuthnott Knox (1888–1957) was a distinguished English theologian, priest, and author who significantly influenced British Catholicism in the 20th century. Born on February 17, 1888, in Kibworth, Leicestershire, he was the youngest son of Edmund Arbuthnott Knox, the Anglican Bishop of Manchester, and Ellen Penelope French. Raised in a devout Anglican family, Knox exhibited exceptional intellectual abilities from an early age. Educated at Eton College, Knox excelled academically and won numerous prizes for classics and theology. He proceeded to Balliol College, Oxford, where he achieved first-class honors in both Mods and Greats (Classics). In 1910, at just 22, he was elected a fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, becoming a lecturer in Classics and Philosophy. His time at Oxford was marked by his involvement in the Anglo-Catholic movement within the Church of England, emphasizing high-church traditions, liturgy, and a return to more traditional forms of worship. Knox was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1912 and served as the chaplain of Trinity College. His charismatic personality, sharp wit, and engaging sermons made him a beloved figure among students and colleagues. It was during this period that he mentored and befriended Laurence Eyres, who was deeply influenced by Knox's theological perspectives and pastoral care. Knox's gatherings, such as Wednesday evening discussions and "Spike Teas," were instrumental in shaping the spiritual lives of many young men at Oxford. The outbreak of World War I saw Knox grappling with moral and spiritual dilemmas. While many of his contemporaries enlisted, Knox encouraged students like Eyres to continue their education, though Eyres ultimately chose to serve. Dissatisfied with the direction of Anglicanism and seeking deeper spiritual certainty, Knox embarked on a profound personal journey. In 1917, after much contemplation, he converted to Roman Catholicism, a decision that strained his relationship with his father and required him to resign from his positions within the Anglican Church and at Oxford. Following his conversion, Knox studied for the Catholic priesthood and was ordained in 1918. He quickly became a leading figure in Catholic intellectual circles in Britain. Renowned for his scholarly works, translations, and apologetics, Knox sought to articulate Catholic doctrine in an accessible manner. His writings, such as "A Spiritual Aeneid" (1918) , an autobiographical account of his conversion, and "The Belief of Catholics" (1927) , were influential in explaining Catholicism to both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Knox was also a talented translator and was commissioned to produce a new English translation of the Latin Vulgate Bible. This monumental task occupied him from 1936 to 1945, resulting in the "Knox Bible," published in 1955, which was praised for its literary quality and clarity. In addition to his theological work, Knox was a prolific writer of detective fiction and essays. His contributions to the genre included novels like "The Viaduct Murder" (1925) and critical essays such as "Studies in the Literature of Sherlock Holmes" (1912). His keen analytical mind and sense of humor endeared him to a broader audience beyond ecclesiastical circles. Throughout his life, Knox remained dedicated to pastoral care, preaching, and retreat work. He served as a chaplain to Catholic students at the University of Oxford from 1926 to 1939 and was a regular broadcaster on religious topics for the BBC. His friendship with Laurence Eyres endured over the years, with both men supporting each other in their spiritual and professional endeavors. Knox's influence on Eyres was profound, guiding him through his own conversion to Catholicism and subsequent career choices. Father Ronald Knox passed away on August 24, 1957, at the home of his close friends, the Asquith family, in Mells, Somerset. His legacy continues through his extensive writings and the many individuals he inspired. Remembered for his erudition, wit, and deep spirituality, Knox remains a significant figure who bridged Anglican and Catholic traditions, contributing greatly to theological discourse and the literary world. Laurence Eyres (1892–1966) was a British educator and classical scholar deeply influenced by his relationship with Ronald Knox, a prominent theologian and writer. Born in Bath in 1892 into a prosperous family with Nonconformist roots, Eyres was the eldest of three siblings. He attended St Edward's School in Oxford from 1907 to 1911, where he first encountered Anglo-Catholicism—a movement that would significantly shape his spiritual journey. In 1913, Eyres secured a Classical Scholarship to Trinity College, Oxford. It was here that he met Ronald Knox, then a young chaplain and tutor who had recently been elected as a fellow. Knox's intellectual brilliance, wit, and deep faith left a lasting impression on Eyres. He became part of Knox's inner circle, attending Wednesday evening gatherings and "Spike Teas" on Fridays. These meetings were more than social events; they were formative experiences where Eyres engaged with theological debates and Anglo-Catholic practices under Knox's mentorship. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 disrupted their academic pursuits. Despite Knox's counsel to continue his studies, Eyres enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry. His wartime experiences were harrowing; he was deployed to Mesopotamia and became a prisoner of war after the Siege of Kut-al-Amarah in 1916. The severe conditions of captivity tested his resilience but also deepened his spiritual convictions—a fortitude that echoed the teachings and influence of Knox. After the war, Eyres returned to Oxford in 1919 to complete his degree. The post-war period was marked by a significant spiritual crossroads for him. Ronald Knox had converted to Catholicism in 1917, a move that challenged Eyres to re-examine his own faith. Their correspondence during this time reveals Knox urging Eyres to consider conversion thoughtfully and decisively. In March 1921, influenced by Knox's guidance and his own reflections, Eyres was received into the Catholic Church by Father Justin McCann. Their relationship continued to flourish as Eyres joined Knox at St Edmund's College, Ware, in September 1921. They spent considerable time together, often walking and discussing theology and literature. Eyres became the housemaster of Talbot House, where he implemented many of the educational and spiritual principles he had embraced under Knox's mentorship. Although Eyres later pursued a monastic vocation at Ampleforth Abbey, he left the novitiate after five months. He continued his teaching career at various institutions, including Stonyhurst College and Ampleforth College, where he remained for the rest of his life. Throughout these years, his friendship with Knox endured. Eyres meticulously preserved their correspondence, later compiling and annotating the letters to provide insights into Knox's thoughts and their shared experiences. In 1959, Eyres edited and published "In Three Tongues," a collection of Knox's parodies and translations, further cementing his role in promoting Knox's literary legacy. His dedication to preserving Knox's work highlights the depth of their intellectual and spiritual connection. Laurence Eyres passed away on December 27, 1966. His life was a testament to the enduring impact of mentorship and friendship. Through his close relationship with Ronald Knox, Eyres not only shaped his own spiritual and professional path but also contributed to the broader appreciation of Knox's work within the Catholic intellectual tradition. ; 12mo; 32 pages. Good+ .

Keywords: Pamphlets


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