George Murray (Royal Navy officer, born 1741)


George Murray was a Royal Navy officer and politician. He was the third son of the Jacobite general Lord George Murray.

Naval career

Murray joined the Royal Navy in 1758 as a midshipman. In 1765 he became commander of the sloop HMS Ferret. Promoted Captain he commanded HMS Renown, HMS Adventure, HMS Levant and HMS Cleopatra. He commanded the Cleopatra at the Battle of Dogger Bank in 1781. From 1782 he commanded HMS Irresistible.
He was elected Member of Parliament for Perth burghs in 1790 but gave up his seat in 1796. Resuming his naval career he commanded HMS Defence from 1790. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief at Chatham in 1792 and went on to command HMS Duke and then HMS Glory. He was made Commander-in-Chief, North American Station in 1794. He almost completely cleared North American waters of French men-of-war and privateers. He returned to England in 1796 and died the following year.

Family

In 1784 he married Hon. Wilhelmina King, daughter of Thomas King, 5th Baron King; they had no children.