Placing the River in Context: James C. Knox, Fluvial Geomorphology, and Physical Geography

We characterize the fluvial geomorphology research of James C. Knox by considering five of his scholarly papers, selected to illustrate not only some of Knox's methods and results but also his conviction that stream-sediment interactions are intricately connected to a range of environmental variables reflecting the scope of physical geography. Those variables, as we discuss, included hydrology, climate, vegetation, position in the drainage network, and human land use. We conclude with the suggestion that Knox's breadth of geomorphic vision was echoed in his approach to his own academic career, and his belief that academic institutions are best served by broad and integrative perspectives.