Stephen Victor Graham

Stephen Victor Graham
18th Governor of American Samoa
In office September 9, 1927 – August 2, 1929
Preceded by	Henry Francis Bryan
Succeeded by	Gatewood Sanders Lincoln
Personal details
Born	March 4, 1874 Cass County, Michigan
Died	September 2, 1955
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy
Occupation	Naval officer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	USS Cincinnati USS Finland

Stephen Victor Graham (March 4, 1874 – September 2, 1955) was a United States Naval Rear Admiral and the 18th Governor of American Samoa from September 9, 1927 to August 2, 1929. Graham attended the United States Naval Academy and served on numerous ships before being posted to the governorship. As governor, he established a strong charter for the former Bank of American Samoa and reworked Samoan fiscal law. After his governorship, he worked at the Naval Academy as the head of the Modern Languages department.

Life

Early life

Graham was born on March 4, 1874 in Cass County, Michigan.^[1]

Naval career

Graham was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Michigan on May 19, 1890. He graduated July 1, 1896, and received the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade) on July 1, 1899. He served on the USS Cincinnati, USS Adams, USS Saratoga, and the USS Rainbow.^[2] Later in his career, as a Lieutenant commander, Graham headed the Department of Modern Languages at the United States Naval Academy.^[3] After retiring, Graham was awarded the rank of Rear admiral on March 3, 1931.^[1]

Governorship

On September 9, 1927, Graham became Governor of American Samoa. While in office, Graham rechartered the Bank of American Samoa and amended current fiscal laws for the island. He ceded the post to Gatewood Sanders Lincoln on August 2, 1929.^[4]

Bibliography

• Graham, Stephen Victor (1911). Nautical Phraseology in English, French, Spanish and German: For Use at the U. S. Naval Academy. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Academy.

References

1. Sorensen, Stan; Joseph Theroux (2007). "The Samoan Historical Calendar, 1606-2007" (PDF). Government of American Samoa. p. 56. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
2. Hamersly, Lewis Randolph (1902). The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. L. R. Hamersly. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
3. Graham, Stephen Victor (1911). Nautical Phraseology in English, French, Spanish and German: For Use at the U. S. Naval Academy. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Academy. p. 3. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
4. Sorensen, Stan; Joseph Theroux (2007). "The Samoan Historical Calendar, 1606-2007" (PDF). Government of American Samoa. pp. 56, 186(?). Retrieved 13 January 2010.