About Lord George Murray
Lived 1761 – 1803 (aged 42). Lord George Murray was a British inventor, aristocrat and anglican priest.
Lord George Murray (30 January 1761 – 3 June 1803) was an Anglican cleric best remembered for his work developing Britain's first optical telegraph, which began relaying messages from London to Deal in 1796, a few years after Claude Chappe's system began operation in France. He was Bishop of Saint David's from 1801 until his death.
Life Murray was the second son of John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl. He was Archdeacon of Man from 1787 to 1801, a post for which his mother, Charlotte Murray, Duchess of Atholl, was the patroness.
On 19 November 1800, Murray was nominated bishop of St. David's. He was elected on 6 December, confirmed on 7 and consecrated on 11 February 1801.
He caught a chill waiting for his carriage on leaving the House of Lords, and died at Cavendish Square on 3 June 1803.
Family His father is John Murray 3rd Duke of Atholl
On 18 December 1780, he married Anne Charlotte Grant (bap. 9 August 1765 – 27 April 1844), Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Charlotte. They had nine children:
George Murray (12 January 1784 – 16 February 1860); Bishop of Sodor and Man and Bishop of Rochester Charlotte Sophia Murray (1785–1866); married Rev. Townshend Selwyn (1782–1853), Canon of Gloucester. Caroline Leonora Murray (1788 - 8 January 1819); married Henry Fox-Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester in 1812, and had two sons and two daughters. Louisa Ann Murray (29 May 1790 – 21 February 1871); married Sir Robert Frankland-Russell, 7th Baronet. They had five daughters. Amelia Matilda Murray (30 April 1795 – 7 June 1884) Rev. Edward Murray (5 November 1798 - 1 July 1852); married Ruperta Catherine Wright, daughter of Sir George Wright, 2nd Baronet and Rebecca MacLane. They had two sons, and two daughters. Henry Murray (1 February 1800 – 26 November 1830); married the Hon. Catherine Otway-Cave, daughter of Henry Otway, and Sarah Otway-Cave, 3rd Baroness Braye. They had no children. John Murray (d. 1803) Charles Murray (d. January 1808)
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Important facts
People in Lord George Murray's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Lord George Murray's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Lord George Murray?
British bishop (1761-1803)
When was Lord George Murray born?
Lord George Murray was born on 30 January 1761 in Dunkeld.
When did Lord George Murray die?
Lord George Murray died on 3 June 1803.
What was Lord George Murray's occupation?
Lord George Murray was an inventor, aristocrat and anglican priest.
What nationality was Lord George Murray?
Lord George Murray was British.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Lord George Murray
· DBpedia: Lord George Murray (bishop)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Lord George Murray. https://biography.guide/lord-george-murray/
MLA: "Lord George Murray." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/lord-george-murray/.
Chicago: "Lord George Murray." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/lord-george-murray/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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