Jill Knight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Baroness Knight of Collingtree
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Knight in 1990
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 23 September 1997 – 24 March 2016 Life peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston |
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| In office 31 March 1966 – 8 April 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Edith Pitt |
| Succeeded by | Gisela Stuart |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joan Christabel Jill Christie
9 July 1923 Bristol, England |
| Died | 6 April 2022 (aged 98) |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
James Montague Knight
(m. 1947; died 1986) |
| Children | 2 |
Joan Christabel Jill Knight, also known as Baroness Knight of Collingtree, was an important British politician. She was born Joan Christie on 9 July 1923 and passed away on 6 April 2022. She was a member of the Conservative Party.
Jill Knight served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Edgbaston for many years, from 1966 to 1997. After leaving the House of Commons, she became a life peer in the House of Lords in 1997. This meant she could continue to be involved in making laws. She retired from the House of Lords in 2016.
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Early Life and Education
Joan Christabel Jill Christie was born in Bristol, England, on 9 July 1923. Her parents divorced when she was a child. Her mother was a teacher who had studied at Bristol University.
Jill went to Fairfield Secondary and Higher Grade School in Bristol. She also attended the King Edward Grammar School for Girls, Birmingham.
In 1941, during World War II, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). This was a special part of the air force for women. Her unit helped control aircraft from the ground. She even appeared on British Forces Network radio.
After the war, she returned to the UK. She joined the Young Conservatives in London. In 1947, she married James Montague "Monty" Knight. He was an optician and had served in the Royal Navy during the war. After they married, they moved to Northampton.
Political Career Highlights
Jill Knight began her political journey as a local politician. She was elected as a councillor on Northampton Borough Council. She served there from 1956 to 1966. During this time, she also worked as a whip, which means she helped make sure party members voted together.
She tried to become a Member of Parliament for Northampton in 1959 and 1964, but she didn't win those elections. However, in 1966, she was elected as the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston. She held this seat for 31 years, winning several elections in a row, until she stepped down in 1997. She was one of the longest-serving female MPs in British history.
Working in Parliament
As an MP, Jill Knight was part of several important groups called Parliamentary Select Committees. These committees look closely at different topics and help Parliament make decisions.
- From 1969 to 1972, she was on the Select Committee on Race Relations and Immigration.
- From 1977, she was on the Select Committee for the Council of Europe.
- From 1980 to 1983, she served on the Select Committee for Home Affairs.
- She was also the Lady Chairman of the Lords and Commons All-Party Child and Family Protection Group from 1978.
- From 1983 to 1987, she was Secretary to the 1922 Committee, a group of Conservative MPs.
She also held leadership roles in other political groups. She was President of the West Midlands Conservative Political Centre from 1980 to 1983. From 1984 to 1988, she was Lady Chairman of the Western European Union Relations with Parliaments Committee. She also chaired the British Inter-Parliamentary Union from 1994 to 1997.
Moving to the House of Lords
After leaving the House of Commons in 1997, Jill Knight was made a Life peer. This meant she became Baroness Knight of Collingtree. She then joined the House of Lords, which is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. She continued to work there until she retired on 24 March 2016. She was also Vice-Chairman of the Association of Conservative Peers from 2002 to 2005.
In 1995, she published her memoirs, called About the House. These books shared her experiences in Parliament.
Activities Outside Parliament
Beyond her work in Parliament, Jill Knight was involved in other organizations.
- From 1986 to 1995, she was Vice-President of Townswomen's Guilds.
- She was a director for Computeach International plc from 1991 to 2006.
- She also served as a director for Heckett Multiserv from 1999 to 2006.
- From 2007 to 2012, she was Chairman of the Sulgrave Manor Trust. She became its President in 2012.
Honours and Awards
Jill Knight received several special honours during her life.
- In 1964, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This is an award given for a great achievement or service to the community.
- In 1985, she was made a Dame Commander (DBE). This is a higher honour, and it meant she could use the title "Dame".
- In 1999, Aston University gave her an honorary DSc degree.
- She also received special titles from the United States: a Kentucky Colonel in 1973, a Nebraska Admiral in 1980, and an honorary Texas Ranger in 2014.
Personal Life and Passing
Jill Knight's husband, James Montague Knight, passed away in 1986. They had two children together. She enjoyed music, reading, tapestry work, going to the theatre, and looking for antiques. Jill Knight died on 6 April 2022, at the age of 98.
Arms
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