Background
Murray was born in High Street, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, one of six sons and five daughters of William Murray and Mary Withers. He was educated in West Bromwich and Spon Lane.
Murray was born in High Street, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, one of six sons and five daughters of William Murray and Mary Withers. He was educated in West Bromwich and Spon Lane.
At eighteen he was sent to London for further training in the printing business, but, following a failed attempt at romance, he instead joined the army. He became a private with the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards. After being bought out of the service by a Great Aunt, he became a journalist.
Initially he wrote leaders for the Wednesbury Advertiser, then worked for the Birmingham Morning News reporting on police cases.
He had four children out of wedlock. Murray covered the Russo-Turkish War during 1877–1878, then left journalism to write fiction.
He spent a year touring England for a series of articles published in The Mayfair Magazine. That year A life"s atonement was published in Chamber"s Journal, followed by Joseph"s coat in 1880.
From 1881–1886 he lived in Belgium and France, and from 1889–1896 stayed in Nice, France.
Murray was well travelled, and had success as a lecturer. In 1889 he performed a lecture tour in Australia, then in 1890 he assisted productions in Australia of the theatrical company of Harry Saint Maur. In 1884–1885 he lectured in Canada and the United States.
He died in London after a long period of illness.