H. Edward Knox

Haden Edward Knox (January 22, 1937 – June 22, 2026) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1971 to 1975. He later served as the mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, from 1979 until 1983.

Early life and education Haden Edward Knox was born on January 22, 1937, at his family's home near Davidson, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, as one of eight children to Annie (née Barkley) and Ralph Brevard Knox. He grew up on his father's cotton farm. His father died in 1955.

He graduated from North Mecklenburg High School, then obtained his degree from North Carolina State University in 1960, where he was vice president and then president of North Carolina State University's student body. While in college, he worked at Barger Construction Company. In 1963, he was admitted to the bar in North Carolina.

Career Legal career Knox joined the Pierce, Wardlow, Knox and Caudle law firm before being renamed Wardlow, Knox, Caudle and Knox and later Wardlow, Knox, Caudle and Ward ) of Charlotte. Knox continued to work as a lawyer and was associated with the Knox Law Center (earlier the Knox, Brotherton, Knox and Godfrey firm).

Government service He was chairman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg water expansion team. He was chairman of the North Carolina commission on correctional programs.

In 1967, Knox was appointed by Governor Moore as a member of North Carolina's ABC Board.

Political career He defeated incumbent Martha Evans in the Democratic primary for the North Carolina Senate in 1970 and ran unopposed and won the 27th district seat in November 1970. In November 1972, he was re-elected to the North Carolina Senate, defeating Michael Mullins, for the 22nd district seat. In 1971 and 1973, he advocated for legislation to use profits from liquor sales to treat alcoholics.

He served as mayor of Charlotte from 1979 to 1983. In January 1982, he established the Charlotte Safety Action Committee. That same year he led a drive to raise donations to fund the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers, a 24-hour hotline.

In January 1983, he created a 100-member committee called the "Committee of 100" to study the need for the Charlotte Coliseum (later the Bojangles Coliseum). This effort followed a rejection by voters in 1981 of a bond issue of $1.5 million to buy land.

Knox ran for governor in 1984, but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Rufus Edmisten.

In 1984, he switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party.

Golf Knox was owner and developer of the Verdict Ridge Golf and Country Club in Denver, North Carolina, starting in 1998. He served on the board of visitors of Wake Forest University School of Law. He was an avid golfer.

Knox died on June 22, 2026, at the age of 89.

Awards In 1969, Knox was awarded the State Jaycees' annual "Outstanding Young Men" award. He was also a recipient of the Mecklenburg County Distinguished Citizen Award and the Young Alumni Award of North Carolina State University.

In 2008, Knox was inducted into the General Practice Hall of Fame by the North Carolina Bar Association. In 2024, a plaque was dedicated to Knox by a business in his former office.