Background
Murray, Peter Bryant was born on October 6, 1927 in New York City. Son of Frederick James and Florence (Leech) Murray.
(From Preface, "My book does not undertake to supersede wh...)
From Preface, "My book does not undertake to supersede what has already been written about Webster. Instead I have tried to build upon what has already been achieved, directing my efforts especially toward two questions: What did Webster actually write? What is the artistic value and the significance of his work? Several scholars have tried to determine the authorship of the plays Webster is known or thought to have written in collaboration with others, and I have tried to advance scholarship in this area. My main concern, however, has been to arrive at an understanding of Webster's art and meaning. By following the lead of his titles, imagery, plots, and characters, I have tried to define the theme and structure of his plays and to relate them to the ideas and patterns of his cultural tradition. In doing this, I have discussed his relation to medieval literature and Christian thought more than other critics have done, attempting to fill in the gap left by Lucas and so provide what I hope will be a broader basis for criticism than we have hitherto had. I do not mean to suggest, however, that Webster wrote to expound Christian doctrine or morality. The vision that informs the plays is more tragic than moral, and nearly as much Stoic as Christian. Webster consistently affirms the Christian-Stoic ideal of "integrity of life." Whether one wishes his end to be crowned by the pagan "fame" or the Christian heaven, one must not swerve from the paths of truth. As a tragic writer, however, Webster is concerned most of all with the inner experience of his characters when they do stray from the paths of integrity. His sympathetic and imaginative treatment of their tragedies is much more deeply human than would be possible for a writer whose interest is primarily moralistic."
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Murray, Peter Bryant was born on October 6, 1927 in New York City. Son of Frederick James and Florence (Leech) Murray.
Student, Virginia Military Institute, 1945-1947; Bachelor of Arts, Swarthmore College, 1950; Master of Arts, University Pennsylvania, 1959; Doctor of Philosophy, University Pennsylvania, 1962.
Research chemist, Sun Oil Corporation, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, 1950-1957; instructor English, University of Pennsylvania, 1961-1963; assistant professor, University of Pennsylvania, 1963-1967; associate Professor of English, U. Delaware, 1967-1968; professor, Macalester College, St. Paul, since 1968; department chairman, Macalester College, 1971-1977. Vice president Spencer-Murray Corporation, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, since 1961.
(From Preface, "My book does not undertake to supersede wh...)
Served with Army of the United States, 1946-1947. Member Modern Language Association American, Modern Humanities Research Association, American Association University Professors (past chapter president), Shakespeare Association American, National CouncilTchrs.
Married Frances N. Pearson, April 24, 1954 (divorced April 1970). Children: Jean P., Stephen F., Susan C., Christopher J. Married Karen Louise Olson, August 14, 1970.