James Knowles (1784 - 1862) was an Irish actor and dramatist. As a teen he published The Welsh Harper, which was a ballad set to music. Knowles was one of the leading playwrights of his time. His most popular plays, which are noted for their professional, workmanlike construction, include the tragedies Virginius (1820) and William Tell (1825) and the comedies The Hunchback (1832) and The Beggar of Bethnal Green (1834). The Love chase was first performed in 1837. After a career in the theater Knowles became a popular Baptist minister.