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Portrait of Cecil Graves

Cecil Graves

1892 – 1957

Joint Director-General of the BBC

Cricketer Administrator
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About Cecil Graves

Lived 1892 – 1957 (aged 64). Cecil Graves was a British cricketer and administrator.

Captain Sir Cecil George Graves (4 March 1892 – 12 January 1957) was joint Director-General of the BBC with Robert Foot from 26 January 1942 to 6 September 1943.

Early life The son of Charles L. Graves and the eldest sister of Viscount Grey of Fallodon, Alice Grey, Graves was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, (like his predecessor Reith) and then at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Graves was also a member of the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Broadcasting Council of Scotland (now known as Audience Council Scotland).

Family In 1921, Graves married Irene Helen Bagnell, a daughter of H. W. J. Bagnell, of the Indian Civil Service, and they had two sons. The eldest, Michael, was an RAF Spitfire Squadron leader who took part in the battle of Malta in which he was awarded a DFC. He fought in the D Day invasion and took part in the first ever flight of operational jets. After the war he was a jet pilot for Rolls-Royce and then Westland of Yeovil. In 1949 Michael was killed aged 28 while test flying a Wyvern.

Honours Military Cross Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1939 Grand Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau, Netherlands

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Gresham's School
Positions held
Director-General of the BBC
Employers
British Broadcasting Corporation
Awards
Military Cross; Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Also known as
Captain Sir Cecil George Graves, Sir Cecil George Graves, Cecil George Graves

People in Cecil Graves's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Cecil Graves's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Cecil Graves?

joint Director-General of the BBC (1892-1957)

When was Cecil Graves born?

Cecil Graves was born on 4 March 1892.

When did Cecil Graves die?

Cecil Graves died on 2 January 1957.

What was Cecil Graves's occupation?

Cecil Graves was a cricketer and administrator.

What nationality was Cecil Graves?

Cecil Graves was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Cecil Graves

· Wikidata: Q2943691

· DBpedia: Cecil Graves

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Cecil Graves. https://biography.guide/cecil-graves/

MLA: "Cecil Graves." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/cecil-graves/.

Chicago: "Cecil Graves." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/cecil-graves/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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