William Grant Murray

William Grant Murray (11 August 1877 – 11 November 1950), usually known as Grant Murray, was a British art teacher, gallery curator and artist. He was Principal of Swansea Art School from 1908 to 1943, and the first curator of the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea, from 1910 to 1950. He played a leading part in the artistic life of Swansea between the wars.

Biography Murray was born on 11 August 1877 in Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the second son of William Alexander Minty Murray (1848–1920), a cabinet maker, and his wife May Grant (1848–1890). His elder brother George Murray (1897–1898) also became an artist, who was renowned for his murals, portraits and mosaics.

Swansea Art School Before moving to Swansea, Murray was Art Headmaster of West Bromwich Municipal School of Art for three and a half years.

On his appointment he was the only teacher for 107 part-time students. Under his leadership the school grew rapidly in scope and reputation. In 1910 the Art School was ranked 140th in England and Wales; by 1914 it was in 25th place. In 1925 the school won a Grand Prix at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris. In 1939 it had 530 students.

He retired in 1943, after 34 years as principal.

Painting Murray was a figurative artist who mainly painted landscapes in watercolour and oils. At the Académie Julian in Paris he learned to brighten his palette, and to take on new ideas from the impressionists.

Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea National Museum Cardiff Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Merthyr Tydfil Aberdeen Art Gallery