Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Johnston Murray
Designation:  
Born: c. 1855
Died: 1916 or early 1917
Bio Notes: Alexander Johnston Murray was born in Cruden about 1855, the son of Alexander Murray, land surveyor who held the tenancy of Nethermill, Cruden, and his wife Jane Anderson, daughter of Provost Anderson of Peterhead. Both had been born in Peterhead. Murray junior practised in Aberdeen. He was an artist as well as architect and exhibited paintings on numerous occasions. In 1893 he exhibited a watercolour of the interior of St Mary's Chapel at Messrs Hay & Lyalls in Union Street.

In 1903 the University Court in Aberdeen approved a course for the diploma in public health given by Murray. This comprised instruction in drawing and interpretation of plans. He was responsible for alterations to Kirriemuir Town House in 1896. That year Murray made made illustrations for the second edition of J Stirton's 'Thrums and its Glens: Historical Relics and Recollections', Aberdeen: W Jolly & Sons. In 1904 Murray exhibited two watercolours at the fine art saloons of Messrs Bowman & Sons. The following year he exhibited a painting of Melrose Abbey at the same saloon.

Apart from his artistic endeavours, Murray was also interested in history and archaeology and in 1908 made three charcoal drawings of the coats of arms of the Earls Marischal which were initially exhibited in the windows of J & A Ogilvie, upholsterers, subsequently to be hung in the Anthropologival Museum. In 1907 he spent a day measuring the stone circles at Durris.

He died in late 1916 or early 1917. A granite plaque at Balgownie Mission Hall to his memory was unveiled on 12 January 1917. This commemeorated his missionary work. He served for three years at Kyle of Lochalsh Church of Scotland as a missionary and was also well known in Aberdeen, Farserburgh and elsewhere where he took a practical interest in mission work.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1Aberdeen, Scotland(?)Business   

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 41894Two Houses on Westburn Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 2 of 41896Town HouseKirriemuir AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 3 of 41899Laundry in lane at right angles to Harcourt Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 4 of 41902373-377 Union Street  AberdeenScotlandScreen to divide the front hall and booking hall from the music room at the rear.

References

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 8Aberdeen Journal24 April 1893   
Item 2 of 8Aberdeen Journal25 October 1896   
Item 3 of 8Aberdeen Journal11 September 1901  Death of his father
Item 4 of 8Aberdeen Journal10 June 1903   
Item 5 of 8Aberdeen Journal16 December 1904   
Item 6 of 8Aberdeen Journal3 August 1905   
Item 7 of 8Aberdeen Journal7 August 1907   
Item 8 of 8Aberdeen Journal13 January 1917