Norman Child Graham
Norman Child Graham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 21 July 1859 Herne Hill, Surrey, England |
| Died | 22 April 1931 (aged 71) Compton, Guildford, England |
| Resting place | Woking Crematorium |
| Education | Tonbridge School |
| Occupations |
|
| Organization | Humane Slaughter of Animals Association |
| Spouse |
Rose Ransome (m. 1887) |
Norman Child Graham (21 July 1859 – 22 April 1931) was an English businessperson, artist, and animal welfare activist. He served as director of Ransomes & Rapier and later worked as a tea merchant and engineer. A watercolourist and member of the Ipswich Fine Art Club, he exhibited works in Merrow and Westminster. Graham co-founded the Humane Slaughter of Animals Association, serving as honorary secretary. He played a key role in its merger into the Council of Justice for Animals and the Humane Slaughter Association, becoming vice-chairman and remaining in the role until his death.
Biography
[edit]Early and personal life
[edit]Norman Child Graham was born at Herne Hill, Surrey, on 21 July 1859, the son of Christopher North Graham (1817–1889), a wholesale grocer, and Isabella (née McAndrew; 1825–1897).[1][2] He was baptised at St Giles' Church, Camberwell, and educated at Tonbridge School.[2]
Graham married Rose Ransome, daughter of Ipswich iron founder Robert James Ransome, at St Mary at Stoke on 1 June 1887.[3]
Graham resided at Priors Wood in Compton, Guildford. He purchased the wood from William Wotton in 1920.[4]
Career
[edit]In the 1890s Graham lived in London and was director of Ransomes & Rapier.[1][5] He and his brother Christopher were shareholders of the Public Benefit Boot Company.[6] He was a tea merchant in 1901 and was an engineer in general manufacturing in Hambledon, Surrey in 1911.[1]
Graham was a watercolourist and member of Ipswich Fine Art Club from 1898 to 1905. He exhibited his paintings at Merrow in 1898 and Westminster in 1900.[1]
Animal welfare
[edit]Graham co-founded the Humane Slaughter of Animals Association in 1920.[7] He was honorary secretary of the organisation and promoted the use of more humane methods such as the captive bolt pistol for animal slaughter, in opposition to the poleaxe.[8][9][10] He commented that "the time will soon arrive when the use of the mechanical killer will be compulsory in the slaughter of all animals for food in this country".[11] The Association worked with the Council of Justice to Animals and amalgamated as the Council of Justice for Animals and the Humane Slaughter Association in 1928.[7] Graham was vice-chairman of the organisation until his death in 1931.[7]
Death
[edit]Graham died at Priors Wood on 22 April 1931, aged 71.[1] His funeral service was held at Woking Crematorium.[12] In his will, he left £3000 to the Council of Justice to Animals, £2000 to the League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports and £3000 to the RSPCA payable on the condition that they campaign to prevent the hunting of wild animals.[13][14] He also left £500 each to the Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society, International League Against the Export of Horses for Butchery and the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Norman Child Graham". Suffolk Artists. 2025.
- ^ a b Howard, Joseph Jackson; Crisp, Frederick Arthur (1893). Visitation of England and Wales. London: Priv. printed. p. 112.
- ^ "Ransome, Rose". Suffolk Artists. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Boston, Cecilia (1933). The History of Compton in Surrey. European Art Publishing Company. p. 119.
- ^ The Directory of Directors. Thomas Skinner & Company. 1927. p. 616.
- ^ "Biographical Notes: Surnames E to H". The Public Benefit Boot Company. 2025. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025.
- ^ a b c "An Extraordinary Legacy: Norman Child Graham". Humane Slaughter Association. 2025. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025.
- ^ "Humane Slaughtering". The Mitcham Advertiser. 3 November 1922. p. 3.
- ^ "Humane Killer". The Mitcham Advertiser. 6 October 1922. p. 7.
- ^ "Humane Slaughter". Sheffield Daily Telegraph. 23 June 1927. p. 6.
- ^ "The Humane Killer". The Yorkshire Post. 19 April 1927. p. 3.
- ^ "Deaths". The Surrey Advertiser. p. 1.
- ^ "Anti-Hunting Bequest". The Manchester Evening News. 9 July 1931. p. 5.
- ^ a b "Surrey Wills". The Surrey Advertiser. 11 July 1931. p. 8.
- 1859 births
- 1931 deaths
- 19th-century English businesspeople
- 19th-century English painters
- 20th-century English businesspeople
- 20th-century English engineers
- 20th-century English painters
- Activists from London
- Artists from Surrey
- Businesspeople from Surrey
- English animal welfare workers
- English merchants
- English watercolourists
- Organization founders
- People educated at Tonbridge School
- People from Herne Hill