Born, at Swatara, Pennsylvania, 22 April 1745. To school at Philadelphia, 1751. Soon afterwards removed with his parents to North Carolina. To New York, 1753. Assisted his father (a merchant) in business from 1759; but, owing to literary tastes, ran away to a school at Burlington, New Jersey. Brought back to New York; placed under a tutor, and studied law. Called to Bar, 1765. Married Hannah Dobson, 22 June 1767. Practised as lawyer in New York. In England, 1770–71. To England again, owing to failing health, 1784; settled at Holdgate, near York. Devoted remainder of life to literary and scientific pursuits. Died, at Holdgate, 16 Jan. 1826. Works: “The Power of Religion on the Mind” (anon.), 1787 (6th edn. same year); “Some Account of the Life … of Sarah Grubb” (anon.), 1792; “English Grammar,” 1795 (abridged edn., by author, 1797); “English Exercises,” 1797; “Key” to preceding, 1797; “English Reader,” 1799; “Sequel to the English Reader,” 1800; “Introduction to the English Reader,” 1801; “Lecteur Français,” 1802; “First Book for Children,” 1804; “English Spelling Book,” 1804; “Introduction au Lecteur Français,” 1807; “Biographical Sketch of Henry Tuke,” 1815; “Compendium of Religious Truth and Practice,” 1815; “The Duty and Benefit of a Daily Perusal of the Holy Scriptures in Families,” 1817. Posthumous: “Memoirs,” ed. by E. Frank, 1826. He edited: “Selection from Bishop Horne’s Commentary on the Psalms,” 1812; “Extracts from the Writings of divers eminent Authors … representing the evils … of Stage Plays,” 1799.
Personal
In general discourse he did not talk much, nor long together, except on business or occasions which rendered it necessary; indeed, he was usually prevented by the weakness of his voice. He seldom said more than the subject required; nor, apparently, more than he intended. He never seemed to talk for the sake of self display, or self gratification. To please or edify those with whom he conversed, or to obtain from them such useful information as they were capable of affording, were his favourite objects…. His external manners were truly pleasing. He was affable and courteous in his address; mild, yet dignified in his demeanour. His unaffected civility and kindness readily won their way to the heart.
Murray was tall, slender, and of a ruddy complexion. In spite of bad health he was always cheerful, and his manner was conspicuously modest.
English Grammar, 1795
This work is not without merit in the details and examples of English construction. But its fault even at that part is that he confounds the genius of the English language, making it periphrastic and literal, instead of elliptical and idiomatic. According to Mr. Murray, hardly any of our best writers ever wrote a word of English.
In a short time after the appearance of the work a second edition was called for. This unexpected demand, induced me to revise and enlarge the book. It soon obtained an extensive circulation. And the repeated editions through which it passed in a few years encouraged me, at length, to improve and extend it still further; and, in particular, to support, by some critical discussions the principles upon which many of its positions are founded…. But my views in writing and publishing were not of a pecuniary nature. My great objects were, as I before observed, to be instrumental in doing a little good toothers, to youth in particular; and to give my mind a rational and salutary employment. It was, I believe, my early determination that if any profits should arise from my literary labours I would apply them, not to my own private use, but to charitable purposes, and for the benefit of others. My income was sufficient to support the expenses of my family and to allow of a little to spare; and I had not any children to provide for. There was, consequently, no inducement to warrant me in deviating from the determination I had made: and as I have hitherto adhered, I trust I shall continue faithfully to adhere, to my original views and intentions.
One of the most profitable school books ever issued from the press—for many years the annual sale of the “Abridgment” in England alone was from 48,000 to 50,000 copies.
He has been styled the father of English grammar, and his work, although not free from error and soon superseded, undoubtedly helped more efficiently than any contemporary manual to teach the Englishmen of his day to speak and write their language correctly. He introduced system into the study of grammar where chaos had existed before, but it is noticeable that his own style of writing frequently illustrates the defects which he warns his readers to avoid. There may have been some truth in the jest of his friend John Dalton, the chemist, “that of all the contrivances invented by human ingenuity for puzzling the brains of the young, Lindley Murray’s grammar was the worst.”
General
The reader who takes up the autobiography of Lindley Murray with no other previous preparation than his early schoolboy recollections of the grammar, will have a sensation as agreeable as unexpected. It is like meeting the schoolmaster after we have grown up, and finding him a pleasant courteous gentleman instead of the monster we had so often vowed to thrash on arriving at the vigor of manhood prerequisite for the achievement.
No work which treats of American literature should fail to notice him whose works on English philology have been the standard educational books on both sides of the Atlantic for half a century…. Few authors have so wide-spread a fame as Lindley Murray, and few have had so many readers. His first publication was “the Power of Religion on the Mind,”—a treatise of great excellence, which was very favourably received, and passed through numerous editions. His next work was his “English Grammar,” which was soon followed by his “English Reader;” and it is doubtless the fact that no other school-books have ever enjoyed so wide a circulation.
