Alexander Murray, 1st Baron Murray of Elibank

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The Right Honourable
The Lord Murray of Elibank
PC
Lord Murray of Elibank - Bain Collection.jpg
Comptroller of the Household
In office
18 December 1905 – 5 June 1909
Monarch Edward VII
Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman
H. H. Asquith
Preceded by The Viscount Valentia
Succeeded by The Earl of Liverpool
Under-Secretary of State for India
In office
5 June 1909 – 14 February 1910
Monarch Edward VII
Prime Minister H. H. Asquith
Preceded by Thomas Buchanan
Succeeded by Hon. Edwin Samuel Montagu
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
In office
14 February 1910 – 7 August 1912
Monarch Edward VII
George V
Prime Minister H. H. Asquith
Preceded by Jack Pease
Succeeded by Percy Illingworth
Personal details
Born 12 April 1870 (1870-04-12)
Died 13 September 1920 (1920-09-14)
Nationality British
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Hilda Murray (d. 1929)

Alexander William Charles Oliphant Murray, 1st Baron Murray of Elibank PC (12 April 1870 – 13 September 1920), called The Master of Elibank between 1871 and 1912, was a Scottish nobleman and conservative[1] Liberal politician. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Government Whip) under H. H. Asquith between 1910 and 1912, when he was forced to resign after being implicated in the Marconi scandal.

Background and education

Elibank was the eldest son of Montolieu Oliphant-Murray, 1st Viscount Elibank, and Blanche Alice, daughter of Edward John Scott.[2] He was educated at Cheltenham.[citation needed]

Political career

Elibank unsuccessfully contested Edinburgh West in May 1895, Peebles and Selkirk in July 1895 and the City of York by-election of 1900.[citation needed] However, in October 1900 he was successfully returned to parliament for Midlothian, a seat he held until 1906 and again from 1910 to 1912.[3] From 1906 to 1910 he represented Peebles and Selkirk.[4]

When the Liberals came to power in December 1905 under Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Elibank was appointed Comptroller of the Household, a post he retained when H. H. Asquith became Prime Minister in April 1908, and then served as Under-Secretary of State for India between 1909 and 1910. The latter year he was made Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Government Whip).[2] In 1911 he was sworn of the Privy Council.[5] However, he was forced to resign in August 1912 after being accused of insider trading in the Marconi scandal.[citation needed] Later the same month he was raised to the peerage as Baron Murray of Elibank, of Elibank in the County of Selkirk.[6]

Apart from his political career Elibank was a partner in S. Pearson and Son Ltd.[2]

Personal life

Lord Murray of Elibank married Hilda Louisa Janey, daughter of Lieutenant-General Sir James Wolfe Murray, in 1894. They had no children. He died in September 1920, aged 50, predeceasing his father by seven years. The barony of Murray of Elibank became extinct on his death while his younger brother Gideon eventually succeeded in the viscountcy of Elibank. Lady Murray of Elibank died in September 1929.[2]

References

  • Who Was Who

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Midlothian
19001906
Succeeded by
Lord Dalmeny
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Peebles and Selkirk
1906January 1910
Succeeded by
William Younger
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Midlothian
January 19101912
Succeeded by
John Augustus Hope
Political offices
Preceded by Comptroller of the Household
1905–1909
Succeeded by
The Earl of Liverpool
Preceded by Under-Secretary of State for India
1909–1910
Succeeded by
Hon. Edwin Samuel Montagu
Preceded by Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
1910–1912
Succeeded by
Percy Illingworth
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baron Murray of Elibank
1912–1920
Extinct