Richard Graves (theologian)

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.