Lindley Murray, 1745-1826

[Mentioned in Retrospection and Introspection, p. 10]

Lindley Murray's life was divided almost equally between the United States and England. He was educated in the States, and through a variety of employment acquired an insight into human affairs; in England he wrote his books which became standard educational works in both countries.

His family were Quakers; his father a successful merchant who hoped that his son would enter commercial life; but the routine and restrictions of this kind of life irked him. Above all else he longed for a literary career. Finally he was allowed to study law, and John Jay was a fellow pupil. After four years Murray was licensed to practice law and soon built up a good practice which the American Revolution interrupted. In 1779 he set up as a merchant and was able to retire in 1783.

For reasons of health he went to England the following year and settled in Holdgate, near York. His first published work was " The Power of Religion on the Mind." The next was his English Grammar, a compilation of lectures he had given to teachers on the method of imparting a knowledge of the English language. There were some critics of the Grammar; but its popularity was not affected, and it went through many editions.

The 18th century marked a definite rise in the reading public. In his English Reader Murray gave excerpts from Blair, Addison, Dr. Johnson, Milton, and many others. He also outlined as principles of good reading "proper loudness of voice, distinctness, slowness, propriety of pronunciation, emphasis, tones, and pauses." Abraham Lincoln considered this Reader "the best schoolbook ever put into the hands of an American youth." Murray's knowledge of French enabled him to publish a French Reader, "Lecteur Francois," which included excerpts from FénéIon, Bossuet, Racine, and others.

Murray was animated by a great desire to improve youth and to bring to their attention the value of piety and virtue. Deeply religious himself, he referred to God as Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor. Being also a philanthropist, he annually paid for the education of several children, and in his will provided sums to be used for the liberation of colored people from slavery, for the education of the North American Indians, and for the distribution of books which would promote piety and virtue.

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Signs of the Times

December 11, 1954

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