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Richard Graves

(1715-1804), Poet and novelist

Sitter in 4 portraits
Richard Graves was an English poet and novelist. Born in Gloucestershire, he was the son of an antiquary of the same name. Graves was a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, but lost this position after the discovery of his secret marriage to Lucy Bartholomew. He eventually found a living as rector of Claverton, near Bath, where he settled with his family for the next fifty years. Graves was an enthusiastic collector of poems, a translator, essayist and correspondent. His best-known work is the novel The Spiritual Quixote (1773), which satirised the Methodist revival.

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Richard Graves

by James Northcote
oil on canvas, 1799
NPG 5281

Richard Graves

by Samuel William Reynolds, after James Northcote
mezzotint, published 1800
NPG D2484

Richard Graves

by Samuel William Reynolds, after James Northcote
mezzotint, published 1800
NPG D2650

Richard Graves

by Ridley & Holl, published by Vernor & Co, after James Northcote
stipple engraving, published 30 September 1806
NPG D16044

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Richard Graves