Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 39.djvu/403

 round him, while Lady Murray, an accomplished musician, ably helped him to entertain them.

 MURRAY, JOHN FISHER (1811–1865), Irish poet and humorist, eldest son of Dr. (afterwards Sir) James Murray [q. v.], was born in Belfast on 11 Feb. 1811, and after being educated in that town proceeded to Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated B.A. in 1830 and M.A. in 1832. His earliest productions apparently were published in 'Blackwood's Magazine,' to which he was for some years a constant contributor. There he wrote many amusing sketches of London life, afterwards reprinted separately, and also some stories and a series of papers in 1840, entitled 'Some Account of Himself, by the Irish Oyster Eater,' which have been attributed to William Maginn [q. v.] He also wrote for the 'Belfast Vindicator,' previous to 1840, and when the 'Nation' was started in 1842 contributed occasionally in its columns. His article entitled 'War with Everybody,' in its third number, was reprinted in 'The Voice of the Nation,' a collection of articles from the paper published in 1844. After a long interval he also wrote some poems for it over the signature of 'Maire,' one or two of which are still remembered. To the 'United Irishman' of 1848 Murray contributed a few characteristic pieces, and the 'Dublin University Magazine' contains a good many of his productions. His last years were spent in retirement, and his death took place in Dublin on 20 Oct. 1865. He was buried in Glasnevin. Murray's writings exhibit great satirical power, and were in their day widely popular. His 'Viceroy' is a scathing description of life in fashionable Dublin at the beginning of the century. His published volumes are: 1. 'The Court Doctor Dissected,' a severe pamphlet on the case of Lady Flora Hastings [q. v.], 8vo, London, 1839; fourth edition, 1839. 2. 'The Chinese and the Ministry,' 8vo, London, 1840. 3. 'The Viceroy,' a three-volume novel, 12mo, London, 1841. 4. 'The Environs of London Western Division,' 8vo, Edinburgh, 1842. 5. 'The World of London,' 2 vols. 8vo, Edinburgh, 1843; second series, 2 vols. 12mo, London, 1845.

 MURRAY,. LEIGH (d. 1892), actress. [See under .]

MURRAY, LINDLEY (1745–1826), grammarian, was born at Swatara, Pennsylvania, on 22 April 1745. His father, Robert Murray, a member of an old quaker family, was one of the leading New York merchants. Murray was the eldest of twelve children, all of whom he survived, although, he was puny and delicate in childhood. When six years old, he was sent to school in Philadelphia, but soon left to accompany his parents to North Carolina, where they lived until 1753. They then removed to New York, where Murray was sent to a good school, but proved a 'heedless boy' (Autobiography'}. Contrary to his inclinations, he was placed when only fourteen in his father's counting-house. In spite of endeavours to foster in him the commercial spirit, the lad's interests were mainly concentrated in science and literature. Collecting his books, he escaped to Burlington, New Jersey, entered a boarding-school, and commenced to study French. His retreat was discovered, he was brought back to New York, and allowed a private tutor. His father still desired him to apply himself to commerce, but he stated arguments in favour of a literary profession so ably in writing that his father's lawyer advised him to let the lad study law. Four years later Murray was called to the bar, and practised as counsel and attorney in the province of New York. At the age of twenty-two he married, and in 1770 came to England, whither his father had preceded him, but Lindley returned in 1771 to New York. Here his practice became both large and lucrative, in spite of his conscientious care to 'discourage litigation, and to recommend a peaceable settlement of differences.' On the outbreak of hostilities in America, Murray went with his wife to Long Island, where four years were spent in fishing, sailing, and shooting. On the declaration of independence he returned to New York, and was so successful that he retired in 1783 to a beautiful place on the Hudson. His health failing, he decided to try the English climate. In 1784 he left America and never returned. The remainder of his life was spent in literary pursuits at Holgate, near York. His library became noted for its theological and philological treasures. He studied botany, and his garden was said to exceed in variety the Royal Gardens at Kew. The summer-house in which his grammars were composed still remains. Murray's first published work, 'The Power