George Murray (Royal Navy officer, born 1741)

For the younger admiral of the same name, see George Murray (Royal Navy officer).
George Murray
Born 22 August 1741
Tullibardine, Perthshire
Died 17 October 1797 (1797-10-18) (aged 56)
Hunton, Kent
Allegiance  Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held North American Station
Battles/wars Battle of Dogger Bank

Vice Admiral George Murray (22 August 1741 – 17 October 1797) was a Royal Navy officer and politician. He was the third son of the Jacobite general Lord George Murray.

Naval career

Murray joined the Royal Navy in 1758 as a midshipman.[1] In 1765 he became commander of the sloop HMS Ferret.[1] Promoted Captain he commanded HMS Renown, HMS Adventure, HMS Levant and HMS Cleopatra.[1] He commanded the Cleopatra at the Battle of Dogger Bank in 1781.[2] From 1782 he commanded HMS Irresistible.[1]

He was elected Member of Parliament for Perth burghs in 1790 but gave up his seat in 1796.[1] Resuming his naval career he commanded HMS Defence from 1790.[1] He was appointed Commander-in-Chief at Chatham in 1792 and went on to command HMS Duke and then HMS Glory.[1] He was made Commander-in-Chief, North American Station in 1794.[1] He almost completely cleared North American waters of French men-of-war and privateers.[1] He returned to England in 1796 and died the following year.[1]

Family

In 1784 he married Hon. Wilhelmina King, daughter of Thomas King, 5th Baron King; they had no children.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 George Murray at Oxford Dictionary of National biography
  2. ↑ Winfield. British Warships of the Age of Sail. p. 206.


Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
George Dempster		 Member of Parliament for Perth Burghs
1790 – 1796 		Succeeded by
David Scott
Military offices
Preceded by
Sir Richard Hughes		 Commander-in-Chief, North American Station
1793–1796 		Succeeded by
George Vandeput
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