Hybridizer Robert J. Graves --(1878-1950)

Concord, New Hampshire, USA

On July l2th 1950, Dr. Robert J. Graves died suddenly at his home. Beech Hill. Dr. Graves was seventy-two years old and his death came after an extended illness.

…He was born in Boscawen, N.H., and was the son of Eli and Martha Graves. He graduated from Harvard University in 1900 and from its medical school in 1903. He also studied abroad and in World War I served as a major in the Army Medical Corps.

….A member of the American College of Surgeons and the New England Surgical Society, Dr. Graves was also chief surgeon for the Boston and Maine Railroad. In addition, he was medical director of the United Life and Accident Insurance Company.

….Bob, as he was known to all in Concord, was keenly interested in the life of his community. He was a past president of the Rotary Club, a past commander of the Concord post of the American Legion. He was a Mason, an Odd Fellow and was a member of the South Congregational Church. He is survived by his wife, Helen Graves; a son, John J. Graves, of Hopkinton; three daughters, Mrs. Katherine Larmon, of Hanover, Mrs. Jane G. Howard, of Concord, and Mrs. Robin Koch, of Katonah, New York.

….In the culture and breeding of irises Dr. Graves found recreation and enjoyment. He succeeded in interesting the city officials in Concord in public plantings of iris and much was accomplished toward the beautification of the city. He was active in the affairs of the American Iris Society having served as chairman of the Awards Committee, Vice-President and as a member of the Board of Directors.

….His efforts toward the creation of new and better flowers brought him great success. He began hybridizing in 1931 and his interest always centered around the whites and blues. His greatest success was the iris 'Helen McGregor', a light ruffled blue, which brought to him the highest award given to an iris variety, the Dykes Medal.

….Other Graves introductions include 'And Thou', Honorable Mention 1942; 'Admiral Nimitz', Honorable Mention 1948; 'Cloud Castle', Honorable Mention 1944, Award of Merit 1949; 'Corporal Mary', Honorable Mention 1949; 'Franconia', Honorable Mention 1942; 'Junior Miss'; 'Kearsarge'; 'Lady Boscawen', Honorable Mention 1946, Award of Merit 1948; 'Lady Louise', Honorable Mention 1947; 'Snow Carnival', Honorable Mention 1942, Award of Merit 1944.

His last two introductions 'Helen McKenzie', a sparkling crystal white, and 'Jane Phillips', a clear medium blue, both received the Honorable Mention award in this year's voting. BAIS Oct. 1950, p 61

Honored by the American Iris Society with the Hybridizer Award in 1949.

See below:

• Gardens
• Registrations and Introductions
• Awards
• Iris Publications
• Biographical Notes
• Hybridizing Notes

Gardens

Registrations and Introductions

Border Bearded: 'Junior Miss'.

Intermediate Bearded: 'Bluedox', 'Goldox'

Tall Bearded: 'Admiral Nimitz', 'Alba Monte', 'Amberjack', 'And Thou', 'Beech Hill', 'Bee One', 'Bow Brook', 'Bumblebee Blue', 'Bush Kingsford', 'Carefree', 'Chocorua', 'Cloud Castle', 'Cloudless Sky', 'Come Hither', 'Contoocook', 'Corporal Mary' , 'Countess of Rumford', 'Dawn Flower', 'Deuces Wild', 'Franconia', 'Golden Flicker', 'Golden Galleon', 'Helen McGregor' , 'Helen McKenzie' , 'Hi Ho', 'Hopkinton', 'Ice Carnival' , 'Jack Howard', 'Jane Phillips' , 'Jan Hess', 'Joseph F. Fernald', 'Jug of Wine', 'Katharine Larmon', 'Kearsarge', 'Kiki', 'Kiltie', 'Lady Boscawen', 'Lady Louise' , 'Lallapaloosa', 'Land's End', 'Legionnaire', 'Lord Boscawen', 'Medicine Man', 'Melody Maid', 'Merrimack', 'Merry Sunshine', 'Merryweather', 'Midas Touch', 'Mountain Dew', 'Mrs. Jack', 'Mt. Jefferson', 'Much Ado', 'Multo Bono', 'Odiorne Point', 'Oomph Girl', 'Passaconway', 'Penacook', 'Private Secretary', 'Robin McGregor', 'Rye Sunshine', 'Salty Breeze', 'Sarah Lee Shields', 'Silence', 'Silver Shell', 'Skippy', 'Skol', 'Smiling Sunrise', 'Snow Carnival' , 'Snow Shoe Club', 'Strawberry Banke', 'Sturdy Blue', 'Sunny Spot', 'Temple Glacier', 'The Citadel' , 'The Spartan', 'White Park', 'Woodlander', 'Zamzam', 'Zuella'.

Awards

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Robert J. Graves' AIS Medal Awarded Iris

Below you will find a picture gallery with a link to Robert J. Graves' iris that won the American Dykes Medal.

1949:

'Helen McGregor', Tall Bearded, TB American Dykes Medal 1949 Award of Merit 1948 Honorable Mention 1946 High Commendation 1943

Printable inclusive list of Robert J. Graves' AIS Awarded and Recognized Irises with links to each iris as of April 2025.

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Iris Publications

under construction

Biographical Notes

under construction

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Hybridizing Notes

under construction