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Sir Robert Murray

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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MURRAY (or MORAY), SIR Robert ( c. 1600-1673), one of the founders of the Royal Society, was the son of Sir Robert Murray of Craigie, Ayrshire, and was born about the beginning of the 17th century. In early life he served in the French army, and, winning the favour of Richelieu, rose to the rank of colonel.

On the outbreak of the Civil War he returned to Scotland and collected recruits for the royal cause. The triumph of Cromwell compelled him for a time to return to France, but he took part in the Scottish insurrection in favour of Charles II. in 1650, and was named lord justice clerk and a privy councillor. These appointments, which on account of the overthrow of the royal cause proved to be at the time only nominal, were confirmed at the Restoration in 1660. Soon after this Sir Robert Murray began to take a prominent part in the deliberations of a club instituted in London for the discussion of natural science, or, as it was then called, the "new philosophy." When it was proposed to obtain a charter for the society he undertook to interest the king in the matter, the result being that on the 15th of July 1662 the club was incorporated by charter under the designation of the Royal Society. Murray was its first president. He died in June 1673.