James Robinson Graves

James Robinson Graves (April 10, 1820 – June 26, 1893) was an American Baptist preacher, publisher, evangelist, debater, author, and editor.

Graves acquired stereotype plates from the North and began printing Bibles for sale in August 1861.

[1] After the 1862 fall of Fort Donelson resulted in a Union victory, Graves relocated to Panola County, Mississippi, as he felt vulnerable because of articles he had published against the North.

[1] In 1868, Graves discontinued the company’s mail-order business, and began training young men as independent dealers to sell Bibles and educational books door-to-door as a way to earn money for college.

Thomas Treadwell Eaton wrote, "We have seen him hold a congregation packed uncomfortably, for three hours and a half without any sign of weariness on their part.

Both were expelled as 'schismatics' between 1858 and 1859 from the Nashville First Baptist Church due to their theological perspectives on their apostolic connection.