Richard Graves (1763–1829) was a Church of Ireland cleric, theological scholar and author of Graves on the Pentateuch. He was a Doctor of Divinity, one of the seven Senior Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin; a member of the Royal Irish Academy; Regius Professor of Greek (Dublin); and Dean of Ardagh. He was the younger brother of Thomas Ryder Graves, Dean of Ardfert and Connor.
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Clerical and scholarly background
Richard Graves was born at his father's rectory in Kilfannan, near Kilmallock, County Limerick, 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 and Waterford; and one sister, Abigail, who married firstly Edward Southwell (1703–1736), son William Southwell; 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), of Mitchelstown Rectory, County Cork, nephew and heir of the Rt. Rev. Henry Ryder (died 1695), Bishop of Killaloe, Treasurer of Cork 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. Mrs Graves' uncle, Brettridge Badham, had married a sister of Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon, first cousins of the 5th Earl's father, Lord Orrey.
The Graves' of County Limerick were a remarkably talented family. Originally from Yorkshire, they came to Ireland with Oliver Cromwell, when their ancestor, Colonel William Graves (who became a Cavalier after being placed in charge of Charles I of England) 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), but the family is particularly noted for its scholars – John Greaves and Thomas Greaves; clergymen – Charles Graves, Robert Perceval Graves, etc.; But most of all writers – Richard Graves, Alfred Perceval Graves, Clotilde Graves, Philip Graves, Robert Graves and Charles Patrick Graves. Another branch of the Colonel's descendants were elevated to the peerage and became notable for the number of them (seven) who served as Admirals in the Royal Navy. Richard Graves' grandfather was a first cousin of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Graves, the cousin of Admiral Thomas Graves, 1st Baron Graves, nephew of Admiral Samuel Graves.
Career
At a young age his father sent him to live and study in Dublin with his eldest brother, Thomas Graves. In 1780, he entered Trinity College, Dublin, 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 fellowship 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, his subject being The Divine Origin of the Jewish Religion, proved from the internal evidence of the last four Books of the Pentateuch. His lectures, Graves on the Pentateuch, for which he is best remembered, were first published in London in 1807, in two octavo volumes, while he was serving as chaplain to the Duke of Richmond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The work was widely acclaimed and was for many years studied by divinity students at English, Irish and American universities, and the university of Calcutta 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 in his book 'A Popular History of Ireland: from the Earliest Period to the Emancipation of the Catholics',
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, 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 of Tuam, a cousin of Elizabeth Gunning and Maria Gunning, by his wife Catherine Younge. Mrs Graves was the granddaughter of Sarah (Wilder) Drought, sister of the eccentric Theaker Wilder. She was also a first cousin of Henry Pearce Driscoll and Lt.-Col. Joseph Netterville Burton, the father of Sir Richard Francis Burton and Lady Stisted. In Dublin, 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 (1796–1853); Sir William Collis Meredith (1812–1894); Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell (1814–1881); Edmund Allen Meredith (1817–1899); Anna Brinkley, Dowager Countess of Kingston (died 1909); John Dawson Mayne (1828–1917); Major-General Arthur Robert MacDonnell (1835–1900); Francis Brinkley (1841–1912); Frederick Edmund Meredith (1862–1941); William Gibson, 2nd Baron Ashbourne (1868–1942); Judge James Creed Meredith (1875–1942); the unfortunate Violet Gibson (1876–1956); Dean Ralph Creed Meredith (1887–1970); Cyril Connolly (1903–1974); Escott Reid (1905–1999); Hilda van Stockum (1908–2006); Willem Jacob van Stockum (1910–1944); Olivia Durdin-Robertson (b. 1917); Rowan Gillespie (b. 1953); and Anna Meredith (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.