(1748 - 1843), o. surv. s. of Thomas Graham of Balgowan and Lynedoch, Perth; Ch.Ch. Oxf. 1766; m. 1774 Hon. Mary Cathcart (d. 1792), dau. of 9th B. Cathcart [S]; MP 1794 - 1807; army officer, lt.-col. 90 Ft. 1794, maj.-gen. 1809; gov. of Messina 1799 - 1800; KB 1812; cr. B. Lynedoch 1814.
1769 - 70 Florence (by 11 Nov. 1769), Rome (by 25 Dec. 1769 - )
1796 - 7 Verona (23 - 26 May 1796), Venice (11 Aug.), Bassano (26 Aug.), Venice (31 Dec. 1796 - 4 Jan. 1797; 11 Feb.)
Soon after Thomas Graham entered Christ Church his father died, and his guardians (his mother, the 9th Earl of Kinnoull and the 2nd Earl of Hopetoun) resolved to send him abroad to complete his education.1 Kinnoull told him (18 Nov. 1767) he should spend a year in France and then proceed to Italy and Germany; he should seek out 'men of letters and knowledge'; in Italy he could refine his taste but should beware of the women who were 'bewitching sirens who fascinated young men if they are not upon their guard'. 'Grahamo' was in Florence on 11 November 1769,2 and in Rome on 25 December.3 His whole-length portrait by David Allan was painted in Rome (YCBA). He was back in Scotland by 1771. He was apparently accompanied during his tour by his cousin Lord Hope (CP; one of the sons of the 2nd Earl of Hopetoun).
Following his wife's death in 1792, Graham pursued a distinguished military career. He was in northern Italy from May 1796.4 In December he was trapped with the Austrian forces in Mantua, but succeeded in escaping through the French lines to report their plight to the Imperial commander.
From 1816 Lord Lynedoch, as he had become, travelled regularly on the Continent and paid a number of visits to Italy.
1. See C. Aspinall-Oglander, Freshly Remembered, the Story of Thomas Graham, Ld. Lynedoch, 5, 88 - 102. 2. Gazz. Tosc. 3. Forbes mss (Mrs Forbes, 25 Dec. 1769). 4. ASV is 782, 779, 780, 781.