Biography.guide
Home › People › Politician › Robert McKnight
Portrait of Robert McKnight

Robert McKnight

1820 – 1885

American politician

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Robert McKnight

Lived 1820 – 1885 (aged 65). Robert McKnight was an American politician and lawyer.

Robert McKnight (January 20, 1820 – October 25, 1885) was an American lawyer and politician who represented Pennsylvania's 22nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1859 to 1863.

Early life and education Robert McKnight was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools and a private school at Xenia, Ohio. He graduated from Princeton College in 1839.

Career McKnight studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and joined a law partnership with Henry S. Magraw in Pittsburgh. In 1846, he was hired to be a solicitor for the Bank of Pittsburgh.

MnKnight served as a member of the Pittsburgh City Council from 1847 to 1849, and was subsequently elected as a Republican to the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Congresses. He served his district during the American Civil War.

After his final term in 1863, he resumed the practice of law.

Personal life McKnight died in Pittsburgh in 1885. He was interred at the Allegheny Cemetery. Early Pittsburgh Pirates owner Denny McKnight was his son.

Gallery

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Lake Worth Community High School, Princeton College
Positions held
United States representative

Family & relationships

Child
Denny McKnight

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert McKnight's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert McKnight?

American politician (1820–1885)

When was Robert McKnight born?

Robert McKnight was born on 20 January 1820 in Pittsburgh.

When did Robert McKnight die?

Robert McKnight died on 25 October 1885 in Pittsburgh.

What was Robert McKnight's occupation?

Robert McKnight was a politician and lawyer.

What nationality was Robert McKnight?

Robert McKnight was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert McKnight

· Wikidata: Q7347557

· DBpedia: Robert McKnight

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert McKnight. https://biography.guide/robert-mcknight/

MLA: "Robert McKnight." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-mcknight/.

Chicago: "Robert McKnight." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-mcknight/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:08 UTC