William Murdoch biographical information

Scope and Content

Biographical information and family tree; Correspondence

Administrative / Biographical History

William Murdoch (1754-1839), millwright, was born in Old Cumnock, Ayrshire. He obtained employment with Boulton and Watt at Soho, Birmingham, of whom one of the partners was James Watt, former Instrument Maker to the University of Glasgow and protg of Professor John Anderson (1726-1796). Murdoch experimented with gas for lighting, and other inventions, and was awarded the Rumford Gold Medal of the Royal Society for his research. After many years living in England, Murdoch changed the spelling of his name to 'Murdock'.

Access Information

Open

Note

Accession 587

Other Finding Aids

Catalogued online to item level

Archivist's Note

Archivist's note: Description prepared by Margaret Harrison, Web version by Graham S. Holton, Jordanhill LibraryRules or Conventions: Description based on Scottish Archive Network guidelines, based on ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, International Council on Archives (2nd edition, 2000). and Rules for the construction of personal, place and corporate names, National Council on Archives (1997)Date of descriptions: November 2008

Related Material

GB 143 Birmingham City Archives, Boulton & Watt Collection