Joseph T. Knox ’56

Joe died Nov. 5, 2025.

He came to Princeton from West End High School in Nashville, Tenn., where he was a cheerleader, an actor, and a dedicated newspaper deliverer. Joe joined Tiger Inn, majored in French, and acted in multiple Triangle Club shows. Two years in naval intelligence at the Pentagon followed his NROTC commissioning before he moved to Richmond, Va., to teach at St. Christopher’s School where, over 42 years, he became legendary for starting a foreign languages department and teaching French, Russian, and art history, combined with memorable chapel talks. He especially enjoyed organizing foreign trips and exchange opportunities for his students. Our class especially benefited from Joe’s leadership of our mini-reunion in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Joe earned an M.A. in English from Vanderbilt and an M.A. in French from Richmond. He was the recipient of a Klingenstein Fellowship from Columbia. In 1982, the French government awarded him the title of Chevalier of its Palmes Academiques for his contribution to an appreciation of French culture.

Joe was predeceased by his first wife, Ella-Prince Trimmer. He is survived by his wife, Jane Joel Knox; daughters Eliza Knox Buxton (Bill) and Daisy Megowan Knox; and grandchildren Joseph Towler Burton and Lucy Wilson Burton.