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James Augustus Henry Murray

lexicographer

Sir James Augustus Henry Murray was a Scottish lexicographer and first editor of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles, now known as The Oxford English Dictionary.

Background

James Augustus Henry was born in 1837 in Denholm, near Hawick, Roxburghshire.

Career

Early a Protestant sympathizer, James Augustus Henry Murray joined the lords of the congregation in 1559 and was a leader of the opposition to the regent, Mary of Guise.

He returned (1566) immediately after the murder of David Rizzio and was reconciled with Mary, who did not know that he had been involved in the murder conspiracy.

With John Knox, who wrote a panegyric on him, Murray was largely responsible for the success of the Scottish Reformation.

Achievements

  • James Augustus Henry Murray was chosen as editor of the New English Dictionary.

Connections

James Augustus Henry Murray was married to Ada Agnes.

Wife:
Ada Agnes