David Murray (South Australian politician)

David Murray (28 December 1829 – 6 January 1907) was a politician in South Australia.^[1]

Murray was born in Anstruther, Fife, Scotland the son of William Murray. In 1853, David arrived in South Australia with his brother William and they began operating a retail drapery store in Gilbert Place, Adelaide.^[1]

Murray was elected to the House of Assembly for East Adelaide on 28 March 1870, serving until 23 December 1871. He represented East Torrens from 27 March 1877 to 13 March 1878. Murray was elected for Yatala on 25 April 1881 but was unseated on 28 June after being found guilty of bribery and corruption within the meaning of the Electoral Act of 1879.^[2]

In May 1882 Murray was elected to the South Australian Legislative Council, holding the seat until retiring on 14 April 1891.^[1][3] Murray was appointed Chief Secretary in the Downer Ministry, in succession to J. B. Spence, in July 1886.^[4]

He was a foundation member of the SA Geographical Society and a member of the Caledonian Society of South Australia, and its Chief 1887–1888. He is remembered as a patron of the Arts, having bequeathed a large collection of prints to the Art Gallery of South Australia, together with ₤3,000 for the establishment of a print room.^[5]

References

1. O'Neill, Sally. "Murray, David (1829–1907)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
2. "News of the Fortnight". The South Australian Advertiser. South Australia. 22 June 1881. p. 2 (Unknown). Retrieved 22 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "Statistical record Of the Legislature 1836 - 2007" (PDF). S.A. Parliament. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
4. Mennell, Philip (1892). " Murray, Hon. David". The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co. Wikisource 
5. McCulloch, Alan Encyclopedia of Australian Art Hutchinson of London 1968