Graham Island
Feature Type:Island - Land area surrounded by water or marsh.
Status: Official
Name Authority: BC Geographical Names Office
Relative Location: Northern and largest of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) archipelago, Queen Charlotte Land District
Latitude-Longitude: 53°27'18"N, 132°14'21"W at the approximate centre of this feature.
Datum: WGS84
NTS Map: 103F/8
Related Maps:
Origin Notes and History:

Adopted 7 March 1933 for Geological Survey sheet 278A, Prince Rupert, as labelled on British Admiralty Chart #2430, 1856 onwards, and on Trutch's 1871 map of British Columbia, etc.

Source: BC place name cards, correspondence and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff.

"Named in 1853 by Commander Prevost, RN, HMS Virago, after Sir James Robert Graham, Bart., of Netherby, first lord of the Admiralty, 1852-1855. A statesman descended from a family long famous in the history of the English border. Born 1782. Succeeded his father, 1824, and this made him a person of importance in the politics of the county of Cumberland. In 1830, he was a member for the county, and gained great notoriety by his attack on the salaries received by privy councillors. This gave him a position as one of the more advanced reformers, and in November, Lord Grey offered him the post of first lord of the Admiralty...."

Source: Walbran, John T; "British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: Their Origin and History"; published for the Geographic Board of Canada, Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971)