Background
The son of John Graham Justice of the Peace and Margaret (née Moodie) Graham was educated at Banbridge Academy and the Queen"s University, Belfast.
Businessman chairman director politician
The son of John Graham Justice of the Peace and Margaret (née Moodie) Graham was educated at Banbridge Academy and the Queen"s University, Belfast.
Graham Construction remains one of the largest construction firms in Northern Ireland and operates throughout the United Kingdom.
Graham was Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ulster Unionist Council from 1947 to 1963. He was Chairman of Dromore Urban Council (1928-1932) and of Iveagh Unionist Association (1935-1965), and President of the latter from 1965 until his death. Controversially, along with Brian Maginess, he called for the UUP to encourage Roman Catholic membership whilst speaking at a Young Unionists meeting in 1959.
Having been knighted in 1952 he was, in 1964, created Baronet, of Dromore, County Down.
There were nine baronetcies created in 1964, no more were created until 1990, when Denis Thatcher was a recipient. Sir John Graham, the second baronet, lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before returning to Northern Ireland.