Background
Murdoch was the son of James Gordon Murdoch, of Ashfold, Sussex and his wife Caroline Penelope Gambier daughter of Samuel Gambier and sister of Edward John Gambier.
Murdoch was the son of James Gordon Murdoch, of Ashfold, Sussex and his wife Caroline Penelope Gambier daughter of Samuel Gambier and sister of Edward John Gambier.
He was educated at Eton College and became a lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade.
Later he was a captain in the South Middlesex Volunteers and adjutant of the Hertfordshire Yeoman Cavalry. He was also chairman of the Llanelly Railway and a Justice of the Peace for Berkshire living at Wokingham. He regained the seat in 1895, and held it until his death aged 61 in 1898.
Murdoch married Sophia Speke, daughter of West Speke of Ilminster, in 1862 and had several daughters.
23rd United Kingdom Parliament. 24th United Kingdom Parliament. 26th United Kingdom Parliament]
At the 1885 general election, Murdoch was elected as the Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Reading, holding the seat until his defeat in 1892.
His opponents in the elections were members of the Palmer family of Huntley & Palmers biscuits.