William Vans Murray
Encyclopedia
William Vans Murray was an American
lawyer, politician, and statesman. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates
(1788–1790). He next was elected to the US House of Representatives from the fifth district of Maryland
, serving from 1791 until 1793. He then represented the eighth district from 1793 to 1797. Murray was appointed the U.S. Minister (ambassador) to the Netherlands
from 1797 until 1801. He supported the U.S. mission to France
in peace negotiations.
, where he lived much of his life. In 1784, as a law student in London
, Murray wrote in defense of state government in the United States of America. This eventually ran to a series of six essays, which were published in Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention. Murray rejected the notion, advanced by Montesquieu among others, that virtue was the root of democracy
. He addressed his essays to John Adams
, then assigned to London as the United States ambassador, and of whom Murray was a "political disciple."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer, politician, and statesman. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates
Maryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
(1788–1790). He next was elected to the US House of Representatives from the fifth district of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, serving from 1791 until 1793. He then represented the eighth district from 1793 to 1797. Murray was appointed the U.S. Minister (ambassador) to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
from 1797 until 1801. He supported the U.S. mission to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in peace negotiations.
Early life and education
William Vans Murray was born in Cambridge, MarylandCambridge, Maryland
Cambridge is a city in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 12,326 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dorchester County and the county's largest municipality...
, where he lived much of his life. In 1784, as a law student in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Murray wrote in defense of state government in the United States of America. This eventually ran to a series of six essays, which were published in Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention. Murray rejected the notion, advanced by Montesquieu among others, that virtue was the root of democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
. He addressed his essays to John Adams
John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
, then assigned to London as the United States ambassador, and of whom Murray was a "political disciple."