

George Graham (1674-1751) was one of England's most renowned clock and watchmakers. He served his apprenticeship with Henry Aske in 1688 and then entered the service of Thomas Tompion as a journeyman in 1695. Graham married one of Tompion's nieces and became his partner in 1704, succeeding to the business on Tompion's death in 1713. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1721 and Master of the Clockmakers' Company in 1722. It is believed that he improved or perhaps invented the cylinder escapement. He used the verge escapement up to 1726 and then predominantly the cylinder thereafter. On his death in 1751, as a sign of the great respect in which he was held, Tompion's grave in Westminster Abbey was opened to receive the body of his former partner.