Henry James Graham (12 August 1853 – 22 December 1911), also known as Harry Graham and H J Graham, was an English international rugby union forward who represented the England national team between 1875 and 1877.Eric Lemon, They Played Rugby for England 1871–2025 (2026), p. 449. He later served as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Rugby Football Union and, in that capacity, received the founding correspondence that led to the creation of the Calcutta Cup. He was also the first President of the Surrey County Rugby Club.W. E. Hitchin and W. T. Pike, Surrey at the Opening of the Twentieth Century (1906), p. 87.
Early life
Graham was born in Wimbledon, Surrey, on 12 August 1853.Lemon, p. 449. He was baptised at St Mary's Church, Wimbledon, on 27 September 1853.Parish Register, St Mary's, Wimbledon, Baptism of Henry James Graham, 27 September 1853 (Surrey History Centre, P5/1/12). He was the son of Robert Graham, an iron merchant, and Anne (née Gartmore).1861 Census of England and Wales (RG 9/454), Wimbledon.
He grew up in Wimbledon with his siblings Robert, Elizabeth, William, Jane E., John D. Graham, and Francis K. Graham. His brother, John Duncan George Graham (13 April 1856 – 6 March 1931), also represented England as a forward in 1875.Lemon, p. 449.
He was commonly known in rugby circles as Harry Graham.Lemon, p. 449.
On 17 April 1877 he married Ellen Turner at St Mary's, Wimbledon.Marriage Register, St Mary's, Wimbledon, 17 April 1877; Pall Mall Gazette, April 1877. The couple had three children: Henry Malcolm Graham, later a chartered accountant; Olive Graham; and Ivy Flora Graham.1911 Census of England and Wales, Remenham, Berkshire.
Rugby career
Graham played as a forward for Wimbledon Hornets.Lemon, p. 449.
He won four caps for England between 1875 and 1877, all as a forward.Lemon, p. 449. His international appearances were:
19 February 1875 – England v Ireland (The Oval)Francis Marshall, Football: The Rugby Union Game (London, 1892; repr. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015), p. 150. 8 March 1875 – England v Scotland (Edinburgh)Marshall, p. 152. 13 December 1875 – England v Ireland (Dublin)Marshall, p. 153. 5 February 1877 – England v Ireland (The Oval)Marshall, p. 155.
In the match against Ireland in Dublin on 13 December 1875, he played alongside his brother, John D. Graham, both being listed as forwards for Wimbledon.
Rugby administration
He served as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Rugby Football Union during the winter of 1876–77 and remained in office during the 1877–78 season.Marshall, pp. 87–88.
In his capacity as Honorary Secretary, he was the recipient of the first letter from the Calcutta Rugby Football Club proposing the gift of funds for a trophy following the club’s dissolution — a proposal that led to the creation of the Calcutta Cup.Wimbledon RFC, "Club History", stating that the initial correspondence regarding the Calcutta Cup was addressed to H. J. Graham as RFU Secretary. https://www.wimbledonrfc.co.uk/a/club-history-40776.html
He later became the first President of the Surrey County Rugby Club.Hitchin and Pike, Surrey at the Opening of the Twentieth Century (1906), p. 87.
Later life
Outside rugby, Graham entered the wine trade and was described as a wine merchant in 1881.1881 Census of England and Wales. By 1891 he was residing at St Tudy, Cornwall, and was living on private means.1891 Census of England and Wales, St Tudy, Cornwall.
In later life he resided at Bridge Cottage, Remenham, near Henley-on-Thames, with his wife and daughters, and was living on private means.1911 Census of England and Wales, Remenham, Berkshire.
He died at Bridge Cottage on 22 December 1911. Probate was granted in London on 15 May 1912 to his son, Henry Malcolm Graham, chartered accountant.England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1912 entry for Henry James Graham.
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