Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Graham, George (d.1767)

685734Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 22 — Graham, George (d.1767)1890Wentworth Francis Wentworth-Sheilds

GRAHAM, GEORGE (d. 1767), dramatist, educated at Eton, entered King's College, Cambridge, in 1746, where he was elected fellow. An elder brother David obtained the same distinction. He proceeded B.A. 1750, and M.A. 1754; was subsequently ordained, and became an assistant master at his old school. He died in February 1767.

Graham was the author of a masque, 'Telemachus,' which appeared in 1763, and gained much popularity, although never acted. It was favourably reviewed in the 'Critical Review' (vol. xv. 1763), presumably by Dr. Johnson. Baker speaks of it as 'coldly correct, with little to censure, but less to applaud.' A portion of the play was set to music by P. Hayes in 1765. Baker states that Graham was the author of an unpublished tragedy which was refused by Garrick.

[Cooper's Mem. Cambr. i. 228; Baker's Biog. Dram.; Genest's Hist. of the Stage, x. 181; Harwood's Alumni Eton.; Gent. Mag. xxx. 47.]

W. F. W. S.