James Grahame (1790-1842)

Historian

James Grahame studied at the universities of Glasgow and Cambridge. He was called to the Bar in Scotland in 1812 but ill health prevented him from pursuing a career in law and he turned to the study of history. His works include 'The History of the Rise and Progress of the United States of North America 'till the British Revolution in 1688' (1827), 'The History of the United States of North America, from the plantation of the British Colonies 'till their revolt and Declaration of Independence' (1836) and 'Who is to blame? Or, a cursory review of 'American Apology for American accession to Negro Slavery'' (1842). His studies initially had little impact in the United States but eventually their merit was recognised. He died in London on 3 July 1842. Josiah Quincy published 'The Memory of the Late James Grahame, the Historian of the United States, Vindicated from the Charges of Mr Bancroft' (1846) after his death.

Birth in 1790

James Grahame was born on 21 December 1790, the son of Robert Grahame, writer and Helen Geddes. The entry in the Old Parish Register (OPR) for Glasgow includes the names of two witnesses.

Birth and baptism entry for James Grahame (8 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 644-1/18, page 286 

Testament of James Grahame

National Records of Scotland, SC70/1/63 pp 674-679

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