Richard Graves was born at his father's rectory in Kilfannan, near Kilmallock, County Limerick, 1 October 1763, the youngest son of Rev.
James Graves (1710–1783), "an accurate and well-read scholar and to a mind imbued with classical tastes and acquirements... a conversation enlivened by a natural vivacity and a pointed but inoffensive wit (who) added so much Christian affability and kindness as to render him a general favourite in his own rank of life, and (procuring) him the esteem and affection of his parishioners of every denomination (and whose) society was much prized and proportionately sought for".
Five of his seven parishes, including Kilfannan, were given to him by his friend, fellow scholar, and kinsman of his both him and wife, John Boyle, 5th Earl of Cork.
Originally from Yorkshire, they came to Ireland with Oliver Cromwell, when their ancestor, Colonel William Graves (who became a Cavalier after being placed in charge of Charles I of England) commanded a Regiment of Horse and was granted land there in 1647.
In 1797, and again in 1801, he was elected Donnellan Lecturer, his subject being The Divine Origin of the Jewish Religion, proved from the internal evidence of the last four Books of the Pentateuch.
His lectures, Graves on the Pentateuch, for which he is best remembered, were first published in London in 1807, in two octavo volumes, while he was serving as chaplain to the Duke of Richmond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Nearly forty years later, and ten years after his death, the Church of England Quarterly Review wrote of his work on the Pentateuch which was still in publication: If a strong mind, large attainments, sincere piety and a most kind and Christian deportment, be qualities that entitle their possessor to fame, then may the late Dean of Ardagh be well denominated famous; but a stronger claim to celebrity than even these could give, may be made in favour of Richard Graves.
Academics there led an affluent life: According to Thomas D'Arcy McGee in his book 'A Popular History of Ireland: from the Earliest Period to the Emancipation of the Catholics', The Established Church continued, of course, to monopolise University honours, and to enjoy its princely revenues and all political advantages.
Its wealth, and the uses to which it is put, are thus described by a recent writer: "Some of Trinity's senior fellows enjoy higher incomes than Cabinet ministers; many of her tutors have revenues above those of cardinals; and junior fellows, of a few days' standing, frequently decline some of her thirty-one church livings with benefices which would shame the poverty of scores of continental, not to say Irish, Catholic archbishops.
Even eminent judges hold her professorships; some of her chairs are vacated for the Episcopal bench only; and majors and field officers would acquire increased pay by being promoted to the rank of head porter, first menial, in Trinity College.
Apart from her princely fellowships and professorships, her seventy Foundation, and sixteen non-Foundation Scholarships, her thirty Sizarships, and her fourteen valuable Studentships, she has at her disposal an aggregate, by bequests, benefactions, and various endowments, of 117 permanent exhibitions, amounting to upwards of 2,000 pounds per annum Graves, a member of the Royal Irish Academy, was chosen as Archbishop King's lecturer in 1799, and again in 1805.
In 1808, he had moved the College to include scripture as mandatory for all students as part of their academic instruction, and he succeeded in effecting some considerable improvements in the divinity school over which he presided from 1819.
In 1823, he resigned the Prebend of St. Michael's, and was presented by the Dean and Chapter to the rectory of St. Mary's Church, Dublin, which benefice he held until his death.
Graves was a man of sound judgment, well trained intellect, and fertile imagination; his eloquence was copious; his manner was earnest, affectionate, and awakening; he was as noted for his simplicity as for his learning, for his benevolence as for his pastoral piety His portrait still hangs in Trinity College, Dublin, and in 1866 a memorial window of stained glass was placed in memory of him in the Chapel of Trinity College – the subjects selected were illustrations of the Pentateuch, in allusion to his work.
James Drought (1738–1820) D.D., senior fellow and professor of divinity at Trinity College, Dublin, and "a member of one of the principal families of the King's County".