William Graham was born in 1757 to William Graham (b.1710) and Jean Graham (b.1715) in Edinburgh, brother to the famous early sexologist James Graham (1745-1794). Graham's only known employment was serving as mate to a surgeon in the Royal Navy, and he is most famous for having married (1778) Catharine Macaulay, née Sawbridge (1731-1791), author of the History of England (1763-1783). The scandal of the 47 year old Macaulay, widowed from 1766, marrying the 21 year old Graham, caused outrage in polite society, and both Elizabeth Montagu and Sarah Scott were vocal in their opposition to the match. He died in approximately 1820, likely at the home he and Macaulay shared in Binfield, Berkshire.