Born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, the son of Samuel Knaggs (q.v.). Educated at Huddersfield College, Caius College (Cambridge) (B.A. 1880), Guys Hospital (London) (LRCP, MRCS 1883, FRCS 1884, MA 1885). Ophthalmic surgeon (Leeds), professor of surgery (Leeds University). Major (RAMC) during WWI. Hunterian professor Royal College of Surgeons. Died at Newton Abbot, Wiltshire.