My name is Vanessa Breese (Knight). I was born in New York City in 1973. I am the first person in my family to be born in the United States. I am a “birthright” American citizen, a term I had never heard of until 2025.
I am the daughter of Peter Richard Clifford Knight, born in Kent, England in 1942, and Michela Scotto Knight, born in Lima, Peru in 1949.
In 2024 my Dad wrote his memoir “Knight Life.” In my copy’s inscription, he wrote, “Hope you find at least parts of this interesting.”
It probably takes about 50 years for a person to think more deeply about where their family came from—England, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Peru—to realize it’s pretty interesting.
South Africa
My grandfather, Edward Robert Knight (known as George), was born in 1911 and raised between Cape Town and England.
Ireland
My Granny, Dorothy Gwendolyn Pennefather (known as Gwen), was born in 1914, in Goold’s Cross, County Tipperary, Ireland.
Italy
My maternal Grandparents, Guglielmo Scotto Ivaldi and Elda Scotto Busetto, where born in Genoa, Italy.
England
My Dad, Peter Richard Clifford Knight, was born in 1942 in Hollingbourne, Kent, England.
Peru
My Mom, Michela Scotto Knight, was born in 1949 in Lima, Peru.
“Knight Life”
My Dad published his autobiography in 2024. I love that the photo he chose for the cover is of our home in Westport, Connecticut. My parents owned that home on Cross Highway from 1980–2016, so I consider that the place that I’m ‘from,’ even though all told I probably only lived there for about three full years. But it is for sure where we have many, many wonderful memories.
Anyway, I’d like to credit my Dad’s book for providing such a rich and full history of the Knight family. Read this book and you’ll hear my Dad—it’s written in his voice, with a clear, matter-of-fact delivery. It’s really excellent.
Thank you for letting me borrow the Knight history for this website.
Vanessa Breese 