John Graham
| Born | 12 July 1921, St. Olaf Street |
|---|---|
| Died | 22 February 2008, Lerwick |
| Elections | 3 (3 won) |
John James Graham was an author, editor, teacher and Shetland Islands Councillor. John compiled the Shetland Dictionary and is one of the key figures in Shetland culture in the latter half of the 20th century.
Biography
Graham was born in Lerwick in 1921, but spent the first five years of his life in Stromfirth, Weisdale, after which the family moved to Tingwall, where he went to Gott Public School. He then attended the Lerwick Central School. John served with honour in the RAF during World War II, then entered Edinburgh University where he was active in student literary circles along with his brother Lollie Laurence I. Graham. John graduated M.A.in 1950. He became an English teacher at the Anderson Educational Institute from 1950 until 1966, was made headmaster of the Lerwick Central Secondary School in 1966, and then headmaster of the Anderson High School in 1970, where he remained until he retired in 1982. He subsequently served as member for Sound on the Shetland Islands Council.
With his brother Lollie (Laurence) Graham, John Graham was co-editor of quarterly magazine The New Shetlander from 1956 to 1998. As president of the Shetland Folk Society he was instrumental in the reprinting of Jakob Jakobsen's dictionary, sacrificing his own 1st edition so that the facsimile might be created.
Political Career
| Year | Election | Council | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Shetland Islands Council Election May 1982 (Lerwick Sound) | Shetland Islands Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1986 | Shetland Islands Council Election May 1986 (Lerwick Sound) | Shetland Islands Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1990 | Shetland Islands Council Election May 1990 (Lerwick Sound) | Shetland Islands Council | 308 | Elected |