George John Robert Murray

The Hon. Sir George John Robert Murray (27 September 1863 – 18 February 1942) was a judge from 2 April 1913 until 18 February 1942 on the Supreme Court of South Australia, which is the highest ranking court in the Australian State of South Australia. He was Chief Judge from 20 January 1916 until 18 February 1942.

Early life and education

George John Robert Murray was born on 27 September 1863 at Murray Park, Magill, near Adelaide, the second surviving son of Alexander Borthwick Murray, a pioneer sheep-breeder and South Australia politician, and his second wife Margaret, née Tinline.

He was first educated at John L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution then spent two years at the Royal High School, Edinburgh and St Peter's College, Adelaide, where he won the Prankerd, Wyatt, Christchurch, and Farrell scholarships. At the University of Adelaide, Murray won the John Howard Clark scholarship for English literature in 1882, qualified for the BA degree in 1883, and won the South Australian Scholarship. This allowed him to study at the University of Cambridge, where he took his B.A. and LL.B. degrees, being bracketed senior in the law tripos in 1887.

Murray also represented Cambridge in cricket and rowing.

Lieutenant Governor of South Australia Murray administered the government of South Australia on numerous occasions in the absence of the Governor.

Honours, later life, death, and legacy

Murray was created K.C.M.G. in 1917.

He died at Adelaide following an operation for appendicitis on 18 February 1942; he was buried in St George's Church of England cemetery, Magill.

The heritage-listed George Murray Building, part of the Union Buildings at the university, designed by Woods, Bagot, Jory and Laybourne-Smith and built in 1937, was named after him.

Every year at St. Peter's College the house with the highest performance and effort in house events is awarded the George Murray Shield.