[5] Graham went to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1942 as an undergraduate in physics, but his studies were put on hold the following year when he left to enlist in the Royal Navy in which he served for the remainder of World War II, largely working in radar research and development.

[6] Graham’s first research position was a three-year project funded by the Nuffield Foundation and working in the small Scientific Department of The National Gallery in London.

During the three years he had enjoyed a vivid social life[7] and the many connections this led to allowed him to take up photography semi-professionally and embark on extensive travels.

Graham's field work was responsible for recording and cataloguing the single largest collection of Maya sculpture, carving and monumental artwork.

[8] His photography and drawings at such sites as Coba, Naranjo, Piedras Negras, Seibal, Tonina, Uaxactun, and Yaxchilan, created an original, highly detailed record of these (and other) sites; documentation that is still utilized as legal evidence, preventing the sale of looted and illegally and illicitly obtained art and artifacts.