Ernest R. Graham (politician)

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Ernest R. "Cap" Graham (1886–1964)[1] was an American politician active in Florida, having served as a member of the Florida Senate from 1937 to 1944, when he unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Florida. As a state senator, Graham lobbied in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. to bring benefits to Miami-Dade County. He proposed the creation of a public university in the county, and although his efforts were unsuccessful during his lifetime, they eventually led to the establishment of Florida International University. The student union at Florida International University is named in honor of Graham, named the Graham Center. In 1948, Graham unsuccessfully sought election to the Dade County Commission. Other than his involvement in politics, Graham worked as a mining engineer in South Dakota and farmer in Florida.

A native of Croswell, Michigan, Graham married Florence Morris, originally of Lincoln, Nebraska and later of South Dakota. Their children were Mary Graham (born in 1913), Philip Graham (born in 1915; who later became husband of Katharine Graham and publisher of The Washington Post) and Bill Graham (born in 1924). In 1934, Florence (known as "Floss") died of cancer; in 1936, Graham married Hilda Simmons, a schoolteacher. They had one child, future Florida Governor and United States Senator Bob Graham.[2][3] Ernest Graham died in 1964 in Florida.

References[]

  1. ^ "Obituary for Ernest R. Graham (Aged 79)". The Miami News. 15 March 1964. p. 13.
  2. ^ Graham, Katherine, "Personal History", pp 113-114, Alfred A. Knopf, 1997
  3. ^ University of Florida - George E. Smathers Libraries: "Ernest R. Graham Papers" retrieved October 29, 2012

External links[]

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