Richard Graves

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. 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.