Alexander Murray (geologist)

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Alexander Murray
Alexander Murray
Alexander Murray
Born 2 June 1810(1810-06-02)
Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland
Died 18 December 1884 (aged 74)
Residence Canada (1842-1864)
Newfoundland (1864-1883)
Nationality Flag of Scotland Scottish
Fields Geology
Institutions Geological Survey of Newfoundland
Known for Geology of Newfoundland

Alexander Murray, CMG (2 June 181018 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.

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Persondata
NAME Murray, Alexander
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Scottish geologist
DATE OF BIRTH 2 June 1810
PLACE OF BIRTH Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland
DATE OF DEATH 18 December 1884
PLACE OF DEATH