Biography of George Muirhead

George Muirhead (1715-1773) was Professor of Oriental Languages from 1753 until he was appointed to the Chair of Humanity in 1754. He was a Dean of the Faculty from 1764 to 1766 and elected Clerk of the University in 1769, and the Muirhead Prizes were founded in his memory.

Born in Dunipace, Muirhead matriculated to study at the University on 1728 and graduated MA from the University of Edinburgh in 1742 before becoming a minister. He applied twice (unsuccessfully) for the Chair of Logic at the University before he was elected to the Chair of Oriental Languages.

Muirhead was a member of the Glasgow Literary Society and edited some of the volumes of the Classics produced by the Foulis Brothers' press. He was a relative of James Watt's mother, Agnes Muirhead, and helped the young inventor make contacts at the University.

Summary

George Muirhead
Classical Scholar
Born 24 June 1715, Dunipace, Scotland.
Died 31 August 1773.
University Link: Alumnus, Clerk of Senate, Faculty Dean, Professor
Occupation categories: classical scholars
NNAF Reference: GB/NNAF/P144773
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Record last updated: 8th Aug 2008

University Connections

University Roles

• Faculty Dean, 1764-1766
• Clerk of Senate, 1769-1770
• Alumnus
• Professor
• Professor

Awards

• Muirhead Prizes

Academic Posts

Professorships:

• Hebrew and Semitic Languages
• Humanity