born 1550?, Calverton, Nottinghamshire, Eng.
died 1610?, Paris, France
British inventor of the first knitting machine .
Lee's model (1589) was the only one employed for centuries, and its principle of operation remains in use. Elizabeth I twice denied him a patent because of her concern for the kingdom's hand knitters. With support from Henry IV of France, Lee later manufactured hosiery in Rouen.