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 AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Aberdeen, Scotland(?) | Business | | | |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesPeriodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Aberdeen Journal | 24 April 1893 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 25 October 1896 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 11 September 1901 | | | Death of his father | | Aberdeen Journal | 10 June 1903 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 16 December 1904 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 3 August 1905 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 7 August 1907 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 13 January 1917 | | | |
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