====== Graham, George ======
{{wst>image_r|Graham,_George|George Graham (1673-1751)}}
**George Graham** was an English clockmaker.

George Graham was born on July 7, [[1673]] in Horsgill (Cumberland, England) and died on 16 November [[1751]] in London. After seven years of apprenticeship with Henry Aske in London Graham worked from [[1695]] at [[Tompion, Thomas|Thomas Tompion]], the "father of the English clockmakers". He married Elisabeth Tompion, a niece of Tompion, and in [[1711]] became his partner.

George Graham was a member of the "[[Clockmakers Company]]". In [[1721]] he was accepted as a member ("Fellow") of the Royal Society.

George Graham was one of the greatest watchmakers of all time. A number of important inventions are attributed to him. Among them 

  * [[1715]] the first [[dead-beat]] [[lever escapement]] for [[pendulum]] clocks, known as [[Graham escapement]]. The Graham escapement replaced the spindle escapement, since it brought significant benefits. Even today it is found in good watches.
  * Between 1715 and 1726 he developed the mercury compensation pendulum.
  * [[1720]] [[Cylinder escapement]] based on the anchor escapement invented by Tompion.
  * [[1726]] Clock pendulum with mercury-expansion vessel for the compensation of temperature influence.
  * [[1727]] Zenith Telescope, used by James Bradley (aberration).

Graham also had excellent knowledge in astronomy.


{{tag>Biographies}}