RGS President 1833-1835 - Sir George Murray

Sir George Murray served as RGS President for two years.

He was an Army Officer - there is quite a strong military presence in early Presidents. Perhaps reflecting the times, and the greater presence of the military in public life as this had been a time of conflict.

He saw service in Flanders (1794-95) the West Indies, England and Ireland, and served with the Duke of Wellington - now there's a historical connection of note.

During the Peninsular War he was present at the battles of A Coruña, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes de Oñoro, Vittoria, Nivelle, Nive, Orthez and Toulouse.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1824.

He was Member of Parliament for Perthshire from 1824 to 1832 and from 1834 until he retired in 1835 - during which time he was President of the RGS.

The Murray River and Mount Murray in eastern Australia, the Murray River and Murray County in Western Australia, were named after him.

The city of Perth, Western Australia was also named in his honour after his parliamentary constituency Perthshire.

Image: Wikipedia entry