Magnus Miller Murray

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Magnus Miller Murray (February 22, 1787March 4, 1838), served as the Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1828 to 1830 and again from 1831 to 1832.


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[edit] Early life

Murray was born in Philadelphia to Commodore Alexander Murray and Mary Miller Murray. He was named after his maternal grandfather, Magnus Miller, a local merchant. He attended Pennsylvania University, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees in an era when many statemen had only a grade school education. On January 6, 1806 he was admitted to Admitted to The Philadelphia Bar. He married Mary Wilkens, daughter of John Wilkins, Jr. and Catherine Reagan Murray on February 23, 1810.

[edit] Pittsburgh politics

Pittsburgh in 1828
Pittsburgh in 1828

Murray began politics as an understudy to area judge and political insider William Wilkins.

Under Murray's mayoral administration, the Western Terminus of the Pennsylvania Canal was completed along the Grant Street corridor of the city. Murray was the first of a handful of Pittsburgh mayors to serve two non-consecutive terms in office, having to cede control of the mayor's office to Matthew B. Lowrie from 1830 to 1831, before regaining his mayoral powers.

See also: List of Mayors of Pittsburgh

[edit] Honors

Mayor Magnus Murray is remembered in the naming of Murray Avenue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

[edit] Membership

Member of The Society of the Cinicinnati as the oldest male heir of Commodore Alexander Murray.

[edit] References

  • Killikelly, S. (1906). The History of Pittsburgh: Its Rise and Progress. Pittsburgh: B.C. & Gordon Montgomery Co.
  • Martin, J. (1883). Martin's Bench and Bar of Philadelphia, Philadelphia: R. Welsh & co., (1883)
Preceded by
John M. Snowden
Mayor of Pittsburgh
1828–1830
Succeeded by
Matthew Lowrie
Preceded by
Matthew Lowrie
Mayor of Pittsburgh
1831–1832
Succeeded by
Samuel Pettigrew
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