Richard Graves (reverend)
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Richard Graves (1763–1829) was a Church of Ireland cleric,
theological Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...
scholar and author of ''Graves on the Pentateuch''. He was a
Doctor of Divinity A Doctor of Divinity (D.D. or DDiv; la, Doctor Divinitatis) is the holder of an advanced academic degree in divinity. In the United Kingdom, it is considered an advanced doctoral degree. At the University of Oxford, doctors of divinity are ran ...
, one of the seven
Senior Fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...
s of
Trinity College, Dublin , name_Latin = Collegium Sanctae et Individuae Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae juxta Dublin , motto = ''Perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturam'' (Latin) , motto_lang = la , motto_English = It will last i ...
; a member of the
Royal Irish Academy The Royal Irish Academy (RIA; ga, Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann), based in Dublin, is an academic body that promotes study in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is Ireland's premier List of Irish learned societies, learned socie ...
;
Regius Professor of Greek (Dublin) The Regius Professorship of Greek is a professorship at Trinity College Dublin. The chair was founded by George III in 1761. List of Regius Professors of Greek * Theaker Wilder 1761– * John Stokes 1764–1765 * Henry Joseph Dabzac 1775–177 ...
; and
Dean of Ardagh The Dean of Elphin and Ardagh is based in St John the Baptist Cathedral, Sligo in the Diocese of Elphin and Ardagh within the united bishopric of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh of the Church of Ireland. The dioceses of Elphin and Ardagh were merged i ...
. He was the younger brother of Thomas Ryder Graves,
Dean of Ardfert The Dean of Limerick and Ardfert is based in the Cathedral Church of St Mary's in Limerick in the united diocese of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert within the Church of Ireland. St Brendan's Cathedral, Ardfert was destroyed by fire in 1641. Th ...
and Connor.


Clerical and scholarly background

Richard Graves was born at his father's rectory in Kilfannan, near
Kilmallock Kilmallock () is a town in south County Limerick, Ireland, near the border with County Cork. There is a Dominican Priory in the town and King's Castle (or King John's Castle). The remains of medieval walls which encircled the settlement are sti ...
,
Co. Limerick "Remember Limerick" , image_map = Island_of_Ireland_location_map_Limerick.svg , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Ireland , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Munster , subdivision ...
, 1 October 1763, the youngest son of Rev. James Graves (1710–1783), "an accurate and well-read scholar and to a mind imbued with classical tastes and acquirements... a conversation enlivened by a natural vivacity and a pointed but inoffensive wit (who) added so much Christian affability and kindness as to render him a general favourite in his own rank of life, and (procuring) him the esteem and affection of his parishioners of every denomination (and whose) society was much prized and proportionately sought for". James Graves had one brother, Richard, High Sheriff of Counties
Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...
and
Waterford "Waterford remains the untaken city" , mapsize = 220px , pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe , pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe , pushpin_relief = 1 , coordinates ...
; and one sister, Abigail, who married firstly Edward Southwell (1703-1736), son
William Southwell William Southwell (1669 – 23 January 1720) was an Irish politician and British Army officer. Background He was the third son of Richard Southwell of Castle Matrix, Co. Limerick, and his wife Lady Elizabeth O'Brien, daughter of Murrough O'Bri ...
; and, after his death a grandson of Sir William Scroggs. Richard Graves' mother, Jane Ryder (1719–1810), was the daughter of Rev. Thomas Ryder (1683–1747), o
Mitchelstown Rectory
County Cork County Cork ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns are ...
, nephew and heir of the Rt. Rev. Henry Ryder (died 1695),
Bishop of Killaloe The Bishop of Killaloe ( ) is an episcopal title which takes its name after the town of Killaloe in County Clare, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bish ...
, Treasurer of
Cork Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Cork (plug), a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container ***Wine cork Places Ireland * Cork (city) ** Metropolitan Cork, also known as G ...
and grandson of Bishop John Ryder. Mrs Graves' mother, Martha Badham, was a first cousin of Sir Standish Hartstonge and Sir Matthew Deane. Richard Graves's father was the rector of seven parishes at once. Five of his seven parishes, including Kilfannan, were given to him by his friend, fellow scholar, and kinsman of his both him and wife,
John Boyle, 5th Earl of Cork John Boyle, 5th Earl of Cork and 5th Earl of Orrery, FRS (13 January 1707 – 16 November 1762) was a writer and a friend of Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson. The only son of Charles Boyle, 4th Earl of Orrery, and his wife Lady ...
. Mrs Graves' uncle, Brettridge Badham, had married a sister of
Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon, PC (1682 – 28 December 1764), was an Anglo-Irish politician and peer who served as the speaker of the Irish House of Commons from 1733 to 1756. A prominent parliamentarian who sat for almost fifty years in ...
, first cousins of the 5th Earl's father, Lord Orrey. The Graves' of
County Limerick "Remember Limerick" , image_map = Island_of_Ireland_location_map_Limerick.svg , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Ireland , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Munster , subdivision ...
were a remarkably talented family. Originally from
Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...
, they came to Ireland with
Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English politician and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the most important statesmen in English history. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1651 Wars of the Three Ki ...
, when their ancestor, Colonel William Graves (who became a
Cavalier The term Cavalier () was first used by Roundheads as a term of abuse for the wealthier royalist supporters of King Charles I and his son Charles II of England during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration (1642 – ). It ...
after being placed in charge of
Charles I of England Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until Execution of Charles I, his execution in 1649. He was born into the House of Stuart as the second son of King James VI of ...
) commanded a Regiment of Horse and was granted land there in 1647. The Colonel's descendants held various public offices in the county (Richard Graves' grandfather, John, and uncle, Richard, both served as
High Sheriff of County Limerick The High Sheriff of Limerick was the British Crown's judicial representative in County Limerick, Ireland from the 13th century until 1922, when the office was abolished in the new Free State and replaced by the office of Limerick County Sheriff. ...
), but the family is particularly noted for its scholars –
John Greaves John Greaves (1602 – 8 October 1652) was an English mathematician, astronomer and antiquarian. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford, he was elected a Fellow of Merton College in 1624. He studied Persian and Arabic, acquired a number of old boo ...
and Thomas Greaves; clergymen – Charles Graves, Robert Perceval Graves, etc.; But most of all writers –
Richard Graves Richard Graves (4 May 1715 – 23 November 1804) was an English cleric, poet, and novelist. He is remembered especially for his picaresque novel ''The Spiritual Quixote'' (1773). Early life Graves was born at Mickleton Manor, Mickleton, Glouce ...
,
Alfred Perceval Graves Alfred Perceval Graves (22 July 184627 December 1931), was an Anglo-Irish poet, songwriter and folklorist. He was the father of British poet and critic Robert Graves. Early life Graves was born in Dublin and was the son of The Rt Rev. Cha ...
,
Clotilde Graves Clotilde Augusta Inez Mary Graves (3 June 1863 – 3 December 1932), known as Clo. Graves, was an Irish author who wrote under the pseudonym of Richard Dehan, becoming a successful playwright in London and New York City. Biography Graves was b ...
,
Philip Graves Philip Perceval Graves (25 February 1876 – 3 June 1953) was an Anglo-Irish journalist and writer. While working as a foreign correspondent of ''The Times'' in Constantinople, he exposed ''The Protocols of the Elders of Zion'' as an antise ...
,
Robert Graves Captain Robert von Ranke Graves (24 July 1895 – 7 December 1985) was a British poet, historical novelist and critic. His father was Alfred Perceval Graves, a celebrated Irish poet and figure in the Gaelic revival; they were both Celtic ...
and Charles Patrick Graves. Another branch of the Colonel's descendants were elevated to the
peerage A peerage is a legal system historically comprising various hereditary titles (and sometimes non-hereditary titles) in a number of countries, and composed of assorted noble ranks. Peerages include: Australia * Australian peers Belgium * Belgi ...
and became notable for the number of them (seven) who served as
Admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, ...
s in the
Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...
. Richard Graves' grandfather was a first cousin of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Graves, the cousin of Admiral
Thomas Graves, 1st Baron Graves Admiral Thomas Graves, 1st Baron Graves, KB (23 October 1725 – 9 February 1802) was a British officer of the Royal Navy and a colonial official. He served in the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence. He was also the Commodor ...
, nephew of Admiral
Samuel Graves Admiral Samuel Graves (17 April 1713 – 8 March 1787) was a British Royal Navy admiral who is probably best known for his role early in the American Revolutionary War. Ancestry He is thought to have been born in Castledawson, Northern Irelan ...
.


Career

At a young age his father sent him to live and study in
Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...
with his eldest brother, Thomas Graves. In 1780, he entered
Trinity College, Dublin , name_Latin = Collegium Sanctae et Individuae Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae juxta Dublin , motto = ''Perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturam'' (Latin) , motto_lang = la , motto_English = It will last i ...
, under the tutorship of the Rev. William Day. Two years later, he was elected a scholar, and was said to be 'distinguished' throughout his undergraduate course as well as an active member of the College Historical Society. He graduated B.A. (1784), M.A. (1787), B.D. (1794), and D.D. (1799). In 1786, he was a successful candidate for
fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...
ship on his first trial, becoming one of the most popular tutors at college. The following year – the same year as his marriage – he was admitted to deacon's and priest's orders. In 1797, and again in 1801, he was elected
Donnellan Lecturer The Donnellan Lectures are a lecture series at Trinity College Dublin, instituted in 1794. The lectures were originally given under the auspices of the School of Hebrew, Biblical and Theological Studies. But since 1987 they have been run on a trien ...
, his subject being ''The Divine Origin of the Jewish Religion, proved from the internal evidence of the last four Books of the
Pentateuch The Torah (; hbo, ''Tōrā'', "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In that sense, Torah means the sa ...
''. His lectures, ''Graves on the Pentateuch'', for which he is best remembered, were first published in London in 1807, in two
octavo Octavo, a Latin word meaning "in eighth" or "for the eighth time", (abbreviated 8vo, 8º, or In-8) is a technical term describing the format of a book, which refers to the size of leaves produced from folding a full sheet of paper on which multip ...
volumes, while he was serving as chaplain to the
Duke of Richmond Duke of Richmond is a title in the Peerage of England that has been created four times in British history. It has been held by members of the royal Tudor dynasty, Tudor and House of Stuart, Stuart families. The current dukedom of Richmond was ...
,
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (), or more formally Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland, was the title of the chief governor of Ireland from the Williamite Wars of 1690 until the Partition of Ireland in 1922. This spanned the Kingdo ...
. The work was widely acclaimed and was for many years studied by
divinity Divinity or the divine are things that are either related to, devoted to, or proceeding from a deity.divine
students at English, Irish and American universities, and the university of
Calcutta Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, the official name until 2001) is the Capital city, capital of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal, on the eastern ba ...
too. Nearly forty years later, and ten years after his death, the ''Church of England Quarterly Review'' wrote of his work on the Pentateuch which was still in publication: ''If a strong mind, large attainments, sincere piety and a most kind and Christian deportment, be qualities that entitle their possessor to fame, then may the late Dean of Ardagh be well denominated famous; but a stronger claim to celebrity than even these could give, may be made in favour of Richard Graves. He has written on many subjects, and on all well. His work on the Pentateuch is used in the English universities as well as in Dublin. And we may safely say, that it never has been perused without great benefit. Nor are his other works indicative of less ability, though their subjects have not brought them so prominently before the religious world... The writings have taken their place among the standard productions of English Literature.'' In July 1799 he was co-opted to become one of the seven senior fellows of Trinity College. Academics there led an affluent life: According to
Thomas D'Arcy McGee Thomas D'Arcy McGee (13 April 18257 April 1868) was an Irish-Canadian politician, Catholic spokesman, journalist, poet, and a Father of Canadian Confederation. The young McGee was an Irish Catholic who opposed British rule in Ireland, and w ...
in his book 'A Popular History of Ireland: from the Earliest Period to the Emancipation of the Catholics', ''The Established Church continued, of course, to monopolise University honours, and to enjoy its princely revenues and all political advantages. Trinity College continued annually to farm its at a rental averaging 100,000 pounds sterling. Its wealth, and the uses to which it is put, are thus described by a recent writer: "Some of Trinity's senior fellows enjoy higher incomes than Cabinet ministers; many of her tutors have revenues above those of cardinals; and junior fellows, of a few days' standing, frequently decline some of her thirty-one church livings with benefices which would shame the poverty of scores of continental, not to say Irish, Catholic archbishops. Even eminent judges hold her professorships; some of her chairs are vacated for the Episcopal bench only; and majors and field officers would acquire increased pay by being promoted to the rank of head porter, first menial, in Trinity College. Apart from her princely fellowships and professorships, her seventy Foundation, and sixteen non-Foundation Scholarships, her thirty Sizarships, and her fourteen valuable Studentships, she has at her disposal an aggregate, by bequests, benefactions, and various endowments, of 117 permanent exhibitions, amounting to upwards of 2,000 pounds per annum'' Graves, a member of the
Royal Irish Academy The Royal Irish Academy (RIA; ga, Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann), based in Dublin, is an academic body that promotes study in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is Ireland's premier List of Irish learned societies, learned socie ...
, was chosen as Archbishop King's lecturer in 1799, and again in 1805. Also in 1799, he was made Professor of Oratory, in 1809 Regius Professor of Laws; in 1810 Regius Professor of Greek; and in 1806 and 1807 he held the office of
University librarian An academic library is a library that is attached to a higher education institution and serves two complementary purposes: to support the curriculum and the research of the university faculty and students. It is unknown how many academic librar ...
. In 1814, he was appointed deputy professor of divinity, and in 1819 he succeeded his father-in-law as professor of divinity, a position he held until his death. In 1808, he had moved the College to include
scripture Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They differ from literature by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual prac ...
as mandatory for all students as part of their academic instruction, and he succeeded in effecting some considerable improvements in the divinity school over which he presided from 1819. In 1801, Graves was presented by the Dean and Chapter of
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Christ Church Cathedral, more formally The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, is the cathedral of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the cathedral of the ecclesiastical province of the United Provinces of Dublin and Cashel in the ( ...
, to the
Prebend A prebendary is a member of the Roman Catholic or Anglican clergy, a form of canon with a role in the administration of a cathedral or collegiate church. When attending services, prebendaries sit in particular seats, usually at the back of the ...
of St. Michael's Church, Dublin, where he laboured 'assiduously and devotedly, especially amongst the poor'. He soon became widely known as a popular preacher. In 1803, the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church elected him to the
prebend A prebendary is a member of the Roman Catholic or Anglican clergy, a form of canon with a role in the administration of a cathedral or collegiate church. When attending services, prebendaries sit in particular seats, usually at the back of the ...
of St. John's, Dublin, but he declined it, as it was not tenable with his fellowship. In 1809 he was elected by the same patrons to the prebend of St. Michan's Church, but his election was set aside as informal, and the presentation for that turn lapsed to
the Crown The Crown is the state in all its aspects within the jurisprudence of the Commonwealth realms and their subdivisions (such as the Crown Dependencies, overseas territories, provinces, or states). Legally ill-defined, the term has different ...
. In the same year, he was presented by the Crown to the rectory of
Raheny Raheny () is a northern suburb of Dublin, Ireland, halfway from the city centre to Howth. It is centred on a historic settlement, first documented in 570 CE ( Mervyn Archdall). The district shares Dublin's two largest municipal parks, Saint Anne ...
, and in 1813 he also received from the Crown the offer of the deanery of Ardagh, which he hesitated to accept, as the appointment would have involved the resignation of his fellowship; but on being appointed deputy professor of divinity, he resigned his fellowship in 1814, and was instituted
Dean of Ardagh The Dean of Elphin and Ardagh is based in St John the Baptist Cathedral, Sligo in the Diocese of Elphin and Ardagh within the united bishopric of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh of the Church of Ireland. The dioceses of Elphin and Ardagh were merged i ...
. In 1823, he resigned the Prebend of St. Michael's, and was presented by the Dean and Chapter to the rectory of St. Mary's Church, Dublin, which benefice he held until his death. He was a conscientious parochial minister. The Rev. Richard Sinclair Brooke wrote that Richard Graves "was a learned but rather ponderous preacher"; "A man of considerable learning and earnest piety", was how Charles Abbey described him. After the death of his wife on 22 March 1827, Graves was much shaken, and during a tour of the
Lake District The Lake District, also known as the Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous for its lakes, forests, and mountains (or ''fells''), and its associations with William Wordswor ...
he was struck with paralysis. His friend, the poet
Robert Southey Robert Southey ( or ; 12 August 1774 – 21 March 1843) was an English poet of the Romantic school, and Poet Laureate from 1813 until his death. Like the other Lake Poets, William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Southey began as a ra ...
, took him into his home at
Greta Hall Greta Hall is a house in Keswick in the Lake District of England. It is best known as the home of the poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey. Overview The official address of Greta Hall is Main Street, Keswick, but it is located some ...
where he remained until he was well enough to return home. Not long afterwards he died from a repeated attack of paralysis at his country living
Raheny Rectory
29 March 1829. ''Graves was a man of sound judgment, well trained intellect, and fertile imagination; his eloquence was copious; his manner was earnest, affectionate, and awakening; he was as noted for his simplicity as for his learning, for his benevolence as for his pastoral piety'' His portrait still hangs in
Trinity College, Dublin , name_Latin = Collegium Sanctae et Individuae Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae juxta Dublin , motto = ''Perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturam'' (Latin) , motto_lang = la , motto_English = It will last i ...
, and in 1866 a memorial window of
stained glass Stained glass is coloured glass as a material or works created from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant religious buildings. Although tradition ...
was placed in memory of him in the Chapel of Trinity College – the subjects selected were illustrations of the
Pentateuch The Torah (; hbo, ''Tōrā'', "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In that sense, Torah means the sa ...
, in allusion to his work. One of his sons, Richard Hastings Graves (1791–1877), collected all his writings together and published them in four volumes in 1840. He had left a generous will, and was interred with many other members of his immediate family at a plot in
Donnybrook Cemetery Donnybrook Cemetery () is located close to the River Dodder in Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland. The cemetery was the location of an old Celtic church founded by Saint Broc and later a church dedicated to St. Mary. The site has been in use between 8 ...
, where there is a plaque to his memory. He, and two of his sons (Richard and
Robert The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...
) are written up in the
Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...
.


Family

On 1 August 1787, he married Eliza Mary (1767–1827), the eldest daughter of the Rev
James Drought
(1738–1820) D.D., senior fellow and professor of divinity at
Trinity College, Dublin , name_Latin = Collegium Sanctae et Individuae Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae juxta Dublin , motto = ''Perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturam'' (Latin) , motto_lang = la , motto_English = It will last i ...
, and "a member of one of the principal families of the King's County". His wife's mother, Elizabeth Maria Campbell (1750–1797), was the daughter of the Rev. John Campbell (1724–1772) LL.D., of Newgarden House;
Vicar General A vicar general (previously, archdeacon) is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority and possesses the title of local ordinary. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ...
of
Tuam Tuam ( ; ga, Tuaim , meaning 'mound' or 'burial-place') is a town in Ireland and the second-largest settlement in County Galway. It is west of the midlands of Ireland, about north of Galway city. Humans have lived in the area since the Bron ...
, a cousin of Elizabeth Gunning and
Maria Gunning Maria Coventry, Countess of Coventry (''née'' Gunning; 1733 – 30 September 1760) was a famous Irish beauty and London society hostess during the reign of King George II. She died at a young age due to lead and mercury poisoning—the toxins ...
, by his wif
Catherine Younge
Mrs Graves was the granddaughter of Sarah (Wilder) Drought, sister of the eccentric
Theaker Wilder Theaker Wilder (1717–1778) was an Anglo-Irish academic with expertise in mathematics and Greek. He was the first Regius Professor of Greek,, Regius Professor of Greek Senior Register and Senior Fellow at Trinity College Dublin. He is remembe ...
. She was also a first cousin of
Henry Pearce Driscoll Lt.-Colonel Henry Peard Driscoll (1792-1869) Q.C., J.P., was an Anglo-Irish officer court-martialled and discharged from the British Army at Montreal. Remaining there he edited two newspapers and became well known as a lawyer, poet and wit. Ear ...
and Lt.-Col. Joseph Netterville Burton, the father of Sir
Richard Francis Burton Sir Richard Francis Burton (; 19 March 1821 – 20 October 1890) was a British explorer, writer, orientalist scholar,and soldier. He was famed for his travels and explorations in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, as well as his extraordinary kn ...
and Lady Stisted. In
Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...
, the Graves lived on Harcourt Street, and he was provided with a country living at the Rectory house in Raheny, where he died. The Graves were the parents of nine children. Some of their descendants include
Robert James Graves Robert James Graves, F.R.C.S. (27 March 1796 – 20 March 1853) was an eminent Irish surgeon after whom Graves' disease takes its name. He was President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Fellow of the Royal Society of London and t ...
(1796–1853); Sir
William Collis Meredith Sir William Collis Meredith, (23 May 1812 – 26 February 1894) was Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Quebec, Superior Court for the Province of Quebec from 1866 to 1884. In 1844, he was offered but refused the positions of Solicitor General ...
(1812–1894); Sir
Richard Graves MacDonnell Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell (; 3 September 1814 – 5 February 1881) was an Anglo-Irish lawyer, judge and colonial governor. His posts as governor included Governor of the British Settlements in West Africa, Governor of Saint Vincent, Gove ...
(1814–1881);
Edmund Allen Meredith Edmund Allen Meredith (7 October 1817 – 2 January 1899) was an Irish lawyer whose career was in public service in Canada. He was Under Secretary of State for Canada; a prison reformer, writer, president of the Literary and Historical Socie ...
(1817–1899); Anna Brinkley, Dowager Countess of Kingston (died 1909); John Dawson Mayne (1828–1917); Major-General
Arthur Robert MacDonnell Major-General Arthur Robert MacDonnell (1835-1900) R.E., J.P., was an Anglo-Irish soldier who served with the Royal Engineers during 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia under Sir Robert Napier. McDonnell was born at Dalkey, Co. Dublin, the youngest s ...
(1835–1900);
Francis Brinkley Francis Brinkley (30 December 1841 – 12 October 1912) was an Anglo-Irish newspaper owner, editor and scholar who resided in Meiji period Japan for over 40 years, where he was the author of numerous books on Japanese culture, art and architectu ...
(1841–1912);
Frederick Edmund Meredith Frederick Edmund Meredith (January 16, 1862 – September 23, 1941) was a Canadian lawyer and businessman. He was the 8th Chancellor of Bishop's University; President of the Mount Royal Club; Bâtonnier of the Bar of Montreal; President of the Mo ...
(1862–1941);
William Gibson, 2nd Baron Ashbourne William Gibson, 2nd Baron Ashbourne (16 December 1868 – 21 January 1942), was an Irish language activist and author. Life Born in Dublin, to Edward Gibson, 1st Baron Ashbourne, and Frances Maria Adelaide Colles (a granddaughter of Abraham Col ...
(1868–1942); Judge
James Creed Meredith James Creed Meredith, KC (28 November 1875 – 14 August 1942) was an Irish judge who served as a Judge of the Supreme Court from 1937 to 1942 and a Judge of the High Court from 1924 to 1937. He was best known as a nationalist of the early ...
(1875–1942); the unfortunate
Violet Gibson Violet Albina Gibson (31 August 1876 – 2 May 1956) was an Irish woman who attempted to assassinate Benito Mussolini in 1926. She was released without charge but spent the rest of her life in a psychiatric hospital in England. She was the daug ...
(1876–1956); Dean
Ralph Creed Meredith Ralph Creed Meredith, M.A., (7 October 1887 – 10 January 1970) was an Anglican cleric who succeeded Edward Keble Talbot as Chaplain to His Majesty, King George VI and afterwards Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In New Zealand he was president ...
(1887–1970);
Cyril Connolly Cyril Vernon Connolly CBE (10 September 1903 – 26 November 1974) was an English literary critic and writer. He was the editor of the influential literary magazine ''Horizon'' (1940–49) and wrote '' Enemies of Promise'' (1938), which combin ...
(1903–1974);
Escott Reid Escott Graves Meredith Reid, CC (January 21, 1905 – September 28, 1999), was a Canadian diplomat who helped shape the United Nations and NATO, author, international public servant and academic administrator. Early life and education Born i ...
(1905–1999);
Hilda van Stockum Hilda Gerarda van Stockum (9 February 1908 – 1 November 2006) was a Dutch-born children's writer and artist. She received a Newbery Honor. Biography She was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Her father was an officer in the Dutch Royal ...
(1908–2006);
Willem Jacob van Stockum Willem Jacob van Stockum (20 November 1910 – 10 June 1944) was a Dutch mathematician who made an important contribution to the early development of general relativity. Biography Van Stockum was born in Hattem in the Netherlands. His father wa ...
(1910–1944); Olivia Durdin-Robertson (b. 1917);
Rowan Gillespie Rowan Fergus Meredith Gillespie (born 1953) is an Irish bronze casting sculptor of international renown. Born in Dublin to Irish parents, Gillespie spent his formative years in Cyprus. From conception to creation, he works alone in his purpose-b ...
(b. 1953); and
Anna Meredith Anna Howard Meredith (born 12 January 1978) is a Scottish composer and performer of electronic and acoustic music. She is a former composer-in-residence with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and former PRS/RPS Composer in the House with Si ...
(b. 1978).


Published works

*''An Essay on the Character of the Apostles and Evangelists'' London, 1798; 2nd edition, improved, Dublin, 1820. *''Hints on a Plan for Advancing Religious Education'' *''Lectures on the Four Last Books of the Pentateuch preached in the chapel of Trinity College, Dublin'', 2 vols., London, 1807; 2nd edition, with large additions, 1815. *''The First Prælection delivered as Professor of Divinity by Richard Graves'' 1815; 2nd edition, with additions, 1820. *''Select Scriptural Proofs of the Trinity, in four Discourses, with Notes and Illustrations'' London, 1819. *''Calvinistic Predestination Repugnant to the General Tenor of Scripture; in a series of discourses'' London, 1825; 2nd edition, 1829. *''Sermons on Practical Subjects'' London, 1830.


External links


The Church of England Review of the Whole Works of Richard GravesThe Whole Works of Richard Graves D.D.

Memorials at DonnybrookDrought and Wilder Connection
{{DEFAULTSORT:Graves, Richard 1763 births 1829 deaths Church of Ireland priests Doctors of Divinity 19th-century Irish Anglican priests Deans of Ardagh Regius Professors of Divinity (University of Dublin) Burials at Donnybrook Cemetery