Robert Edmund Graves (c.1835–1922) was an English librarian.[1]
The eldest son of Robert Graves, A.E.R.A., he was forty-six years in the service of the British Museum, and retired from the office of Assistant Keeper of the Printed Books in 1900. He was one of the best known and most respected men in that department, and through his special knowledge the Museum succeeded in acquiring many books of great rarity, among which must be named the valuable Isham Collection. Every frequenter of the Printed Book Department must have known Mr. Graves during his term of office. His excellent advice was always ready but never intruded, and those who consulted him were astonished by the extent of is knowledge. For he was a widely read man, though at the same time his specialist ability was probably unequalled of its kind. Among the many offices which he had held was that of librarian to the famous Britwell Court Library, for which he discovered and acquired many Caxtons and other rarities. He was one of the founders of the Bibliographical Society (London), for which he acted as treasurer for many years, and on relinquishing that office was elected vice-president. He edited the 1889 edition of Michael Bryan's Dictionary of Painters and Engravers, and contributed several excellent articles to the Dictionary of National Biography.
It is fitting that this tribute appeared in The Times, which he had taken continuously ever since he first entered the Civil Service. Graves died at Ealing on Tuesday, September 26, 1922, aged 87.
"Obituaries - Mr. R. E. Graves". The Times (43148): p. 12. col F. Thursday, September 28, 1922