James Graves (antiquarian)
Encyclopedia
Rev. James Graves was an Irish
clergyman, antiquary and archaeologist of the Victorian era
.
, James's father the Revd. Richard Graves kept a school in the city, and James himself was born on St Canice's day, 11 October. He later regretted that he had not been named Kenny after the patron saint to whom he thus had a double allegiance. He went up to Trinity College, Dublin
in 1834, from where he graduated with a BA in 1839. Appointed curate to Skeirke in Co. Laois
, he rapidly obtained preferment, and as curate of St Patrick's Kilkenny, was attached as Treasurer to St Canice's Cathedral
, before gaining a living in the county. Although married, he had no children.
His fame rests in his antiquarian
and archaeological interests, rather than in his clerical pursuits. A close friend of John O'Donovan
, he was also acquainted with George Petrie, and like them devoted his life towards the preservation of the antiquities of his native country. His main point of interest however was the architecture of his own city and county, and his interests therefore were focussed not on the pre-Norman period of Irish history but on the period from c.1169 onward. In particular he was responsible for the careful conservation work on St Canice's cathedral in Kilkenny city, while he was treasurer, and in the 1860s and 1870s he worked through the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
, which of which he was himself a founding member, towards the conservation of several important ruined medieval churches.
Although he is never accorded the degree of fame as a founding father of Irish archaeology which is given to George Petrie
, his efforts towards the preservation of medieval Irish buildings was highly significant. In particular, as a respectable Anglican clergyman, he was able to gain the ear of the establishment more easily than some of his Catholic contemporaries. This proved of importance after the Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland
left many then ruinous church sites in an ambiguous position, which was rectified by their being taken into State Care as National Monuments.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
clergyman, antiquary and archaeologist of the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
.
Life
A native of KilkennyKilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
, James's father the Revd. Richard Graves kept a school in the city, and James himself was born on St Canice's day, 11 October. He later regretted that he had not been named Kenny after the patron saint to whom he thus had a double allegiance. He went up to Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
in 1834, from where he graduated with a BA in 1839. Appointed curate to Skeirke in Co. Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
, he rapidly obtained preferment, and as curate of St Patrick's Kilkenny, was attached as Treasurer to St Canice's Cathedral
St Canice's Cathedral
St Canice's Cathedral , is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Kilkenny city, Ireland. It is in the ecclesiastical province of Dublin....
, before gaining a living in the county. Although married, he had no children.
His fame rests in his antiquarian
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
and archaeological interests, rather than in his clerical pursuits. A close friend of John O'Donovan
John O'Donovan (scholar)
John O'Donovan , from Atateemore, in the parish of Kilcolumb, County Kilkenny, and educated at Hunt's Academy, Waterford, was an Irish language scholar from Ireland.-Life:...
, he was also acquainted with George Petrie, and like them devoted his life towards the preservation of the antiquities of his native country. His main point of interest however was the architecture of his own city and county, and his interests therefore were focussed not on the pre-Norman period of Irish history but on the period from c.1169 onward. In particular he was responsible for the careful conservation work on St Canice's cathedral in Kilkenny city, while he was treasurer, and in the 1860s and 1870s he worked through the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland is a learned society based in Ireland, whose aims are 'to preserve, examine and illustrate all ancient monuments and memorials of the arts, manners and customs of the past, as connected with the antiquities, language, literature and history of Ireland'. ...
, which of which he was himself a founding member, towards the conservation of several important ruined medieval churches.
Although he is never accorded the degree of fame as a founding father of Irish archaeology which is given to George Petrie
George Petrie
George Petrie , was an Irish painter, musician, antiquary and archaeologist of the Victorian era.-Personal life:...
, his efforts towards the preservation of medieval Irish buildings was highly significant. In particular, as a respectable Anglican clergyman, he was able to gain the ear of the establishment more easily than some of his Catholic contemporaries. This proved of importance after the Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
left many then ruinous church sites in an ambiguous position, which was rectified by their being taken into State Care as National Monuments.