Murphy, James., 1854-1919

James Murphy was born in Scotland in 1854 and first attended the Glasgow Veterinary College in the session 1877-78 at the age of 23. After passing his first professional examination Murphy relinquished his Veterinary studies and devoted himself to the study of science in general. For a time he was attached to the staff as assistant to Professor Frederick Orpen Bower in the Botany class at the University of Glasgow. Murphy eventually returned to Veterinary medicine, and after a number of years study qualified MRCVS on 22 December 1899.

Prior to this, in 1893 he returned to the Glasgow Veterinary College, this time as a member of staff appointed as the College's first Professor of Anatomy, a post that he occupied until his death on 28 Nov 1919, aged 65.

Sources: Obituary in 'The Veterinary Record', December 6, 1919; Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Knowledge.

From the guide to the Papers of James Murphy, 1854-1919, first Professor of Anatomy 1893-1919, Glasgow Veterinary College, Glasgow, Scotland, 1799-1900 (mainly 1870-1885), (Glasgow University Archive Services)