Farquhar McGillivray Knowles (1859–1932), RCA, OSA, was an American-born Canadian artist renowned for his marine paintings. Born in Syracuse, NY, of Scottish descent, Knowles moved to Canada as a child and initially pursued a military career. After a life-changing accident at West Point, he turned to art, studying under William Merritt Chase in New York and later with John A. Fraser in Canada. In 1889, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Canadian Academy for his skills as a watercolourist. Knowles studied in London and Paris before returning to Canada, where he became a prominent figure in Toronto's artistic community. His works, influenced by Impressionism and the Aesthetic movement, are notable for their authentic atmosphere, especially his marine scenes. Knowles died in 1932, leaving a legacy as one of Canada's respected early artists.