Graham was a late 19th century man who fell into a deep sleep after a period of insomnia; in some mysterious fashion, his body's processes slowed such as to keep him alive indefinitely with no need of food or water.
His friend hired a board of trustees to watch over his property until he wakes up. However, over the years, the board of trustees gained more and more money and power until they bought out the entire world. When Graham awoke, he found himself the ruler of the world in the year 2100. ("When the Sleeper Wakes")
Sleeper[]
- In the movie Sleeper, the sleeper was known by the name of Miles Monroe, played by Woody Allen. This film bears little resemblance to the original novel.