William Murray (1789-1849)

William Murray entered the office of Francis Johnston in 1807 (Johnston was his father’s first cousin), who was at that time architect to the Board of Works. In 1822 he was appointed Johnston’s official assistant at the board, When Johnston decided to retire in 1825, he recommended Murray as his successor, a post he was appointed to in February 1827. He retired from the board in 1832 and was succeeded by Jacob Owen.

Murray remained as architect to the Commissioners for Erecting and Establishing District Lunatic Asylums in Ireland until the functions of the Commissioners were taken under the direct control of the Board of Public Works in 1835. Over a period of fifteen years, he was involved in the erection of nine district lunatic asylums, built with only minor variations to the formula originally devised with Francis Johnston for the asylum at Armagh.

Father of William G. Murray (1822-71), and grandfather to Albert E. Murray (1849-1924). His daughter Adelaide married Sir Thomas Drew (1838-1910).