Born on December 1, 1925, in La Cumbre, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, Graham was the son of a Canadian-born father who was an international banker,[5] and a Peruvian mother.

[6] During his 40-year tenure at SOM, Bruce Graham designed notable buildings all over the world from his home in Chicago, to Guatemala, Hong Kong, London, Cairo, and many other cities.

He designed the Willis Tower, tallest building in the world for nearly 36 years, the 100 story tall John Hancock Center, One Shell Plaza etc.

He believed that to create great work an architect should be informed by philosophy, history, music and literature.

Bruce Graham firmly believed that architecture like dance and music were a combination of structure and beauty.

Like other forms of Art, Graham believed that architecture was a result and a reflection of the morals of the culture in which it was built.

[8] Graham left a major influence on London, where he was responsible for designing the master plans for the massive Broadgate and Canary Wharf developments.