James Knox

Early years Knox was born in Bayswater, Western Australia, the second of three sons of Irish-born parents John and Emily (née Walsh) Knox. His father was a storekeeper and native of Kilkenny, and his mother died when Knox was still a child. He worked as a tailor's apprentice before applying to the Archdiocese of Perth to study for the priesthood. However, he was rejected because the archdiocese did not have a seminary at the time and relied on recruiting priests from Ireland.

Episcopate On 20 July 1953, Knox was appointed Apostolic Delegate to British Africa and titular archbishop of Melitene by Pope Pius XII.

Cardinal Knox was created Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Vallicella by Pope Paul VI in the consistory of 5 March 1973.