Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Graham, Robert (1786-1845)
GRAHAM, ROBERT (1786–1845), M.D. and botanist, third son of Dr. Robert Graham, afterwards Moir of Leckie, was born at Stirling on 3 Dec. 1786. After studying medicine at Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities, he practised for some years in Glasgow. In 1818, on the creation of a separate chair for botany in Glasgow, Graham was appointed the first professor. In 1820 he obtained the regius professorship of botany in Edinburgh University, and also became physician to the infirmary. He was a strong believer in drugs, and gave enormous doses of calomel and opium (Life of Sir R. Christison, ii. 133, 134). Besides his inaugural dissertation for M.D. he wrote only one medical treatise, viz. 'Practical Observations on Continued Fever,' pp. 84, Glasgow, 1818. As a botanical lecturer he attained fair success, and under his care the Edinburgh Botanical Garden flourished. He published a number of botanical papers, chiefly describing new species, in the 'Edinburgh New Philosophical Magazine,' Curtis's 'Botanical Magazine,' and Hooker's 'Companion.' He also spent much time in preparing a 'Flora of Great Britain,' which he did not complete. He died at Coldoch in Perthshire on 7 Aug. 1845, after a long illness.
[Ransford's Biographical Sketch, 1846; Biog. Dict. of Eminent Scotsmen, ed. Thomson, 1869; Duns's Life of Sir James Simpson, pp. 108–10.]