Sir Charles Knowles, 1st Baronet

Admiral Sir Charles Knowles, 1st Baronet (c. 1704 – 9 December 1777) was a British naval officer, politician and colonial administrator who served as the governor of Jamaica from 1752 to 1756. Serving in the Royal Navy during the War of Jenkins' Ear, War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years' War, he also briefly served in the Imperial Russian Navy during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774. Knowles rose to the rank of admiral in a long and varied career, crowned with both success, and at times, controversy.

He was highly educated, and particularly skilled in building and destroying fortifications. His career was mainly centred on the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea, where he commanded ships and squadrons in actions against both Spanish and French ships and settlements. Despite an active naval career in which he reached the rank of Rear-Admiral of Great Britain, Knowles found time to continue his studies. He translated foreign scientific studies, and developed his own inventions. His career at sea was blighted, however, by several failures. This may have been the catalyst for his move to the Russian Empire during the later part of his life to oversee the development of the Russian fleet. He is noted as the catalyst for the Knowles Riot in British America.