GRAHAM, Norman

1859 - 1931

Norman Child Graham was born at Herne Hill, Surrey in July 1859, fifth child and third son, an older brother died in infancy, of wealthy Christopher North Graham (15 July 1817-10 May 1889), a wholesale grocer, and his wife Isabella McAndrew (12 January 1825-16 August 1897), fourth daughter of William Peter McAndrew of Dulwich, who married at St Giles Church, Camberwell on 23 September 1852. In 1861, Norman was a 1-year-old, living at 17 Marine Parade, Brighton with his parents, 40-year-old Christopher and 32-year-old Isabella and three elder siblings, Isabella Sarah Emma (born 1853), Edith Lilian (born 1855) and Christopher Colborne (born 1857). In 1881, Norman was a 21-year-old student, living at 121 Tulse Hill, Lambeth with his 63-year-old father, a fundholder, and came to Ipswich where he married at St Mary Stoke Church, Ipswich on 1 June 1887, 23-year-old Rose Ransome, fourth daughter of Ipswich iron founder Robert James Ransome of Stoke Hall, Ipswich. After the death of his father in 1889, his widow contributed £700 for a new lifeboat at Thorpeness, Suffolk to be named after him. After his marriage, Norman had a varied career including in 1896 as a director of Ransomes & Rapier, the Ipswich engineers, and although living in Oxford Street and South Moulton Street, London 1891-1896, in 1891, a tea merchant, living at Rose Mount, Queen Road, Brentwood, Essex and in 1901, an artist, living at Freston, Merrow, Guildford, Surrey. In 1911, a 51-year-old engineer in general manufacturing, of Brook Witley, Hambledon, Surrey with his 46-year-old wife Rose, born at Ipswich and of his four staff included those from his Ipswich days. A member of the Ipswich Fine Art Club 1898-1905, exhibiting from Merrow, Guildford in 1898, a watercolour 'A Surrey Common', in 1899 two watercolours 'Surrey Pastures' and 'Early Morning, Westminster', in 1900 a watercolour 'Showery Weather' and in 1901 two works, an oil 'Departing Day' and a watercolour 'Sea Poppies' and exhibited two painting in 1902. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy. In 1920, he was one of the co-founders of the 'Humane Slaughter of Animals Association' which amalgamated with the 'Council of Justice to Animals' in 1928, Graham was vice-chairman of the organisation, with the Duchess of Portland as its President and its supporters included authors H. G. Wells and John Galsworthy and is now known as the 'Humane Slaughter Association' it works globally to improve the welfare of food animals between the farm-gate and slaughter. Norman Child Graham held this position until his death at Priors Wood, Compton Road, Godalming, Surrey on 22 April 1931, aged 71, his widow died at the same address on 20 October 1940.

Royal Academy Exhibits
from Merrow, Guildford
1900 1236 On the Surrey Downs - watercolour
1901 547 Sea Lavender
1915 804 Suffolk Marshes

The copyright illustration of Mr Norman Child Graham, is courtesy of the Humane Slaughter Association - website www.hsa.org.uk

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Works by This Artist