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Born in the North of Scotland, he was apprenticed to Mr Farquhar, a coach-painter in Edinburgh, before moving to London where he continued as a coach-painter before enrolling in the Royal Academy Schools and pursuing the profession of a fine artist. In 1798 he was appointed master of the Trustees' Academy in Edinburgh where his students included Sir William Allan, Sir David Wilkie, W H Lizars, Walter Geikie, the brothers Burnet, and Sir John Watson Gordon. He died in office in Edinburgh in 1817. His death is recorded in the OPR for St Cuthbert's. Amongst his innovations was the introduction of historical painting and he placed great emphasis on accurate drawing of the extremities (hands and feet) of the human body. He was held in universally high regard by all his students. Shortly after his death his natural daughter Mary Graham applied to the Barons for a Gift of Bastardy of his Estate and Effects (advert Perthshire Courier 1817-12-04 et seq.)