George Graham, born in 1673, worked as a clockmaker in London during a period in history where accurate timekeeping provided a crucial strategic advantage at sea. He invented the cylinder escapement and the mercury temperature compensating pendulum, as well as many other instruments used by the scientists and physicists of the day.
George Graham was open-minded and did not hesitate to help others and share his ideas with his peers, in particular Julien Le Roy. Graham was also partner to the famous watchmaker Thomas Tompion, and married his niece in 1696. When his colleague died, Graham took over Tompion's business and established himself as an independent watchmaker.
In 1721, he received the honorary title of ‘Fellow of the Royal Society' and the following year became a ‘Master of the Clockmakers' Company'. He died in 1751, leaving behind him an unrivalled contribution to watchmaking. He is buried in London's famous Westminster Abbey – next to his friend Thomas Tompion.
