James B. Graham
American politician and educator
About James B. Graham
Lived 1923 – 2007 (aged 83).
James B. Graham (December 24, 1923 – June 22, 2007) was the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts from 1980 to 1984 and the Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1976 to 1980. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
Biography Graham was born in Fairfield, Kentucky to Bruce Alexander Graham and Bessie Caldwell Graham. He had seven brothers: Henry, Milton, Billy, Davis, Jerry, Alan, and James; and five sisters Kitty Ann, Lena, Jenny, Mildred, and Peggye. He received his AB degree from William Jewell College, his master's degree from the University of Kansas, and his PhD from the University of Kentucky. While in office, he studied the educational system of Japan in 1977 and of Syria and Iran in 1978.
He ran for the office of Auditor of Public Accounts in 1979. In the Democratic primary he easily won a four-way race by winning 121,328 votes. His closest competitor, Sara Bell, won 69,295. In the general election, he defeated a former Auditor, Republican Mary Louise Foust.
Graham also served outside of elected office. He was President of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators from 1967 to 1968. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System from 1976 to 1980. He was a member of the Southeastern Intergovernmental Audit Forum in 1981. He was also President of the Board of Trustees of the Stephen Foster Drama Association.
Personal life Graham was married to Lorena P. Graham and they had two children, Janet and Diana. While living in Nelson County, he was a member and deacon of the Bardstown Baptist Church. After leaving office he lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He died in Frankfort, Kentucky and was buried in Bardstown.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was James B. Graham?
American politician and educator (1923–2007)
When was James B. Graham born?
James B. Graham was born on 24 December 1923 in Fairfield.
When did James B. Graham die?
James B. Graham died on 22 June 2007 in Frankfort, Kentucky, Kentucky.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James B. Graham. https://biography.guide/james-b-graham/
MLA: "James B. Graham." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-b-graham/.
Chicago: "James B. Graham." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-b-graham/.
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