George Graham

Captain George Graham (May 16, 1770 – August 9, 1830) served as acting United States Secretary of War under two Presidential administrations from 1816 to 1817.

Early life

George Graham was born to Richard and Jane (Brent) Graham in Prince William County, Virginia. He matriculated at Columbia College and earned his degree in 1790.

Career

As incumbent Chief Clerk of the War Department, on October 22, 1816, he was designated Acting Secretary by James Madison following William H. Crawford's promotion to the Department of the Treasury until Crawford's successor John C. Calhoun arrived and took over as Secretary on October 8, 1817. Outside of his Cabinet service, he is best known for a mission to Galveston Island, Texas to persuade the small Bonapartist colony of Champ d'Asile to accept American jurisdiction. There he met with privateer Jean Laffite. This voyage is considered the first Anglo-American account of a sea voyage to Texas. Graham fell ill with acute dysentery on his return trip from Champ d'Asile, but was healed by Atakapa natives. He was president of the Washington branch of the Bank of the United States, 1819–1823, and commissioner of the U.S. land office, 1823–1830.

Death

Graham died in Washington, D.C. on August 26, 1830. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.