Murray, John M.D. (1720-1792) of Wells and Norwich, Norfolk, ship's surgeon on H.M.S. Conqueror

Journal containing daily meteorological and monthly medical observations, 1751/2-1759, recorded by John Murray to chart the relationship between weather conditions and different diseases. The back of the volume contains legal material copied in by his son Charles Murray, 1736-1808. f.2r: key to the meteorological symbols used in the jouranl ff.2v-5r: blank except for inscription `John Murray M.D.' on f.3r. ff.5v-31r: John Murray's daily meteorological observations in Norfolk, recording wind direction and force, general weather conditions, temperature, air pressure, humidity, rainfall, time of observation, and in some cases the phase of the moon, January 1750/1- February 1753. Also his monthly observations on prevalent illnesses, individual medical cases, and cures administered, January 1750/1-May 1752. f.31v: blank ff.32r-38r: John Murray's daily meteorological observations on board H.M.S. Conqueror, recording place or latitude (all Harwich Harbour), wind direction and force, general weather conditions, and the phase of the moon, May 1758-March 1759. Also his monthly medical observations as above, May 1758-November 1758. ff.38v-181v: (original pagination 1-289 from back of vol.): miscellaneous legal documents, 1736-1808. Copied in by Charles Murray in the course of his work as a lawyer, presumably from 1785 on. ff.182r-184v: blank except for family inscriptions, including 'Charles Murray January 5th 1785' on f.183v.

1752-1759

184 ff. 1 volume: 300 x 230 mm. The folio edges are water-stained as a result of a fire (see note on f.1r), particularly ff.2-22.

Purchased from Cavendish Auctions, Derby, November 2000, lot 44.

For John Murray's obituary see Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 62 (1792), p.961.

A photograph of a page from the journal containing daily meteorological and monthly medical observations for Nov 1758, recorded by John Murray to chart the relationship between weather conditions and different diseases, is held by Wellcome Images at L0041518

Database description transcribed from Richard Aspin and Christopher Hilton's typescript supplement to S.A.J Moorat's Catalogue of Western Manuscripts