.gif)
Alexander Murray (geologist)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Murray, CMG
(2 June 1810 – 18 December 1884) was a Scottish
geologist
.
Murray was born in Crieff
, Perthshire
, Scotland. He worked as a geologist in the United Kingdom
and Canada
, before coming to Newfoundland in 1864 to become the first director of the Geological Survey of Newfoundland
. His first major task was to produce a reliable topographical map of the interior of the island. Murray did detailed work in the area between Hall's Bay and St. George's Bay, as well as the area surrounding Conception
, Placentia
and St. Mary's
Bays. He also mapped parts of the Great Northern Peninsula
and central Newfoundland.
Murray produced the first geological map of Newfoundland
and his reports of rich resources in the island's interior were an important factor in the decision to build the trans-island railway
in 1881.
Poor health caused him to return to Scotland in 1883.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(2 June 1810 – 18 December 1884) was a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
.
Murray was born in Crieff
Crieff
Crieff is a market town in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It lies on the A85 road between Perth and Crianlarich and also lies on the A822 between Greenloaning and Aberfeldy. The A822 joins onto the A823 which leads to Dunfermline....
, Perthshire
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, Scotland. He worked as a geologist in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, before coming to Newfoundland in 1864 to become the first director of the Geological Survey of Newfoundland
Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador is a scientific research agency that is part of the Department of Natural Resources of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador...
. His first major task was to produce a reliable topographical map of the interior of the island. Murray did detailed work in the area between Hall's Bay and St. George's Bay, as well as the area surrounding Conception
Conception Bay
Conception Bay is a Canadian bay located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. The bay indents the Avalon Peninsula with the opening of the bay to the Atlantic Ocean at the northeast. It is bounded by Cape St. Francis in the south and Split Point near Bay de Verde in the north...
, Placentia
Placentia Bay
Placentia Bay is a body of water on the southeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It is formed by Burin Peninsula on the west and Avalon Peninsula on the east. Fishing grounds in the bay were used by native people long before the first European fishermen arrived in the 16th century. For a time, the...
and St. Mary's
St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
- St. Mary's Bay :St. Mary's Bay is one of many bays in Newfoundland, where bay is taken as a regional subdivision, somewhat along the lines of county divisions...
Bays. He also mapped parts of the Great Northern Peninsula
Great Northern Peninsula
The Great Northern Peninsula is the largest and longest peninsula of the island of Newfoundland, Canada, approximately 225 km long and 80 km wide at its widest point and encompassing an area of 17,483 km²...
and central Newfoundland.
Murray produced the first geological map of Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
and his reports of rich resources in the island's interior were an important factor in the decision to build the trans-island railway
Newfoundland Railway
The Newfoundland Railway was a railway which operated on the island of Newfoundland from 1898 to 1988. With a total track length of , it was the longest narrow gauge railway system in North America.-Early construction:...
in 1881.
Poor health caused him to return to Scotland in 1883.