Reference sources disagree about the birthdate of the Russian émigré painter and writer, John D. Graham: some say 1881, most say between 1886-1888. The Archives of American Art, which uses c.1887, provides some insight into the confusion, noting "John Graham, born Ivan Dombrowsky, was born in Kiev in 1886, 1887, or 1888. All three conflicting dates are found on various legal papers, licences, and passports." (See: Megan McShea, Finding Aid to the John Graham Papers, Archives of American Art; online, accessed 2/24/2011).