John Murray (geologist)
Encyclopedia
John Murray was a science writer, lecturer, traveller and Scriptural geologist
during the early years of scientific development.
, Galloway
, the son of a sea-captain. He seemed to develop an interest in science early in life, and in 1815 published Elements of Chemical Science as Applied to Arts and Manufactures. In 1816 he lectured at the Surrey Institution
, where he taught an annual course for many years. He was widely noted for his skill as a lecturer, and wrote on a wide range of subjects, including chemistry, physics, medicine, geology, natural history, and manufacturing. Beginning in 1816, He gave several sciences lectures a year at the Surry Intuition and Mechanics’ Institutes becoming “one of the best lecturers in the world,’ according to Lord Brougham
. He was particularly interested in the design of miner's safety lamps. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries
and of the Geological Society of London
, the Linnean Society of London
, and Royal Horticultural Society
. Also, the Meteorological society of London, The British Association for the Advancement of Science
and the Mechanics' institutes of Exeter, Davonport, Porrtsmouth and Bristol. In the 1830s he was a prominent scriptural geologist, promoting a reconciliation between the geological record and the Genesis creation narrative.
Murray loved geology because it "charms and instructs the reflective mind." It was useful in mining, farming, for building roads, railroad and canals. And it revealed aspects of God's creative power and wisdom. Furthermore it is an aid to natural theology in that it reveals aspects of God's creative power and wisdom, as well as serving as a support of Scriptural revelation.
He travelled extensively, but lived in Hull
most of his life. He was a loyal member of the Church of Scotland
and a strong Calvinist. He moved back to Stranraer in 1850, but a severe illness drained his health and finances and he died an invalid on June 28, 1851.
Scriptural geologists
Scriptural geologists were "a heterogeneous group of writers" in the early nineteenth century, who claimed "the primacy of literalistic biblical exegesis" and a short 'Young Earth' time-scale. Their views were marginalised and ignored by the scientific community of their time...
during the early years of scientific development.
Biography
Murray was born in StranraerStranraer
Stranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire.Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland...
, Galloway
Galloway
Galloway is an area in southwestern Scotland. It usually refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire...
, the son of a sea-captain. He seemed to develop an interest in science early in life, and in 1815 published Elements of Chemical Science as Applied to Arts and Manufactures. In 1816 he lectured at the Surrey Institution
Surrey Institution
The Surrey Institution was an organisation devoted to scientific education and research, based in London. It was founded by private subscription in 1807, taking the Royal Institution - founded in 1799 - as a model...
, where he taught an annual course for many years. He was widely noted for his skill as a lecturer, and wrote on a wide range of subjects, including chemistry, physics, medicine, geology, natural history, and manufacturing. Beginning in 1816, He gave several sciences lectures a year at the Surry Intuition and Mechanics’ Institutes becoming “one of the best lecturers in the world,’ according to Lord Brougham
Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux
Henry Peter Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux was a British statesman who became Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.As a young lawyer in Scotland Brougham helped to found the Edinburgh Review in 1802 and contributed many articles to it. He went to London, and was called to the English bar in...
. He was particularly interested in the design of miner's safety lamps. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries
Society of Antiquaries
Society of Antiquaries can refer to:*Society of Antiquaries of London*Society of Antiquaries of Scotland*Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne*Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland...
and of the Geological Society of London
Geological Society of London
The Geological Society of London is a learned society based in the United Kingdom with the aim of "investigating the mineral structure of the Earth"...
, the Linnean Society of London
Linnean Society of London
The Linnean Society of London is the world's premier society for the study and dissemination of taxonomy and natural history. It publishes a zoological journal, as well as botanical and biological journals...
, and Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
. Also, the Meteorological society of London, The British Association for the Advancement of Science
British Association for the Advancement of Science
frame|right|"The BA" logoThe British Association for the Advancement of Science or the British Science Association, formerly known as the BA, is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating interaction between...
and the Mechanics' institutes of Exeter, Davonport, Porrtsmouth and Bristol. In the 1830s he was a prominent scriptural geologist, promoting a reconciliation between the geological record and the Genesis creation narrative.
Murray loved geology because it "charms and instructs the reflective mind." It was useful in mining, farming, for building roads, railroad and canals. And it revealed aspects of God's creative power and wisdom. Furthermore it is an aid to natural theology in that it reveals aspects of God's creative power and wisdom, as well as serving as a support of Scriptural revelation.
He travelled extensively, but lived in Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
most of his life. He was a loyal member of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
and a strong Calvinist. He moved back to Stranraer in 1850, but a severe illness drained his health and finances and he died an invalid on June 28, 1851.
Works
- (1815) The Elements of Chemical Science as applied to the arts and manufactures and natural phenomena.
- (1830) A Treatise on Pulmonary Consumption; its prevention and remedy.
- (1831) [1840] The Truth of Revelation, 276 pages; second edition, 380 pages.
- (1838) Portrait of Geology, 214 pages.