Lilian Knowles

Lilian Charlotte Anne Knowles (née Tomn; 9 October 1870 – 25 April 1926) was a British historian and Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics (LSE). She was the first female Dean of the Economic History Faculty in the University of London.

Early life and education Born in St Clement, Cornwall, Knowles attended Truro High School.

In 1921, Knowles was promoted to a professorship in Economic History becoming Britain's second professor in that subject (the first being George Unwin at the University of Manchester). Notable students included Alice Clark, Ivy Pinchbeck, and Vera Anstey. She was also a member of the Council of the Royal Economic Society and of the Council of the Royal Historical Society. There are also two student prizes named after her at LSE; one for the highest marks in the first year and one for the highest marks in the final year of the Economic History Undergraduate degree programme.