Biography

ROBERT KINNIBURGH MURRAY

Burial register ID: 8554
Surname: MURRAY
First name: ROBERT
Middle names: KINNIBURGH
Gender: Male
Age: 81 Years
Cause of death: Unknown
Burial type:
Date of death: 04-Jul-1900
Date of burial: 06-Jul-1900

Block: 4
Plot: 11
Inscription:

Erected,

By

Robert K Murray

In Loving Memory of His Wife

Robina Graham Burn

Who died 24th May 1879

R.K. Murray

Died 4th July 1900

Aged 80 Years

Bio contributor: McFarlane

Robert Kinniburgh Murray (1820-1900)

Robert was born in St Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Scotland in 1820. He was twice married in Edinburgh first in 1843 to Margaret Howden then in 1851 to Robina Graham Burn.
Before coming to Otago, Robert was a confectioner who owned a large business in Glasgow.

He emigrated to Otago aboard the ship Nourmahal in 1858. Shortly after his arrival in Dunedin, he continued his trade as a confectioner, opening a business in Rattray Street. He also established Murray’s (previously Ward’s) Private Hotel in Rattray Street which he managed for many years on temperance lines. Robert also tried sheep farming for some time and was one of the founders of the Baptist Church in Dunedin.

During his long residence in Dunedin, Robert took an active interest in municipal government, and was elected a member of the Town Board for the Leith Ward in 1864 and councillor for the High Ward in 1853. He also owned a block of land known as Murrayville in Maori Hill centred on Lothian and Pollock (then Graham) Streets which he subdivided in 1862.

Following his retirement in 1879, Robert assisted his sons in setting up the confectionery works and jam factory in Maclaggan Street, under the trading name of R.K. Murray and Sons.

Robert Kinniburgh Murray died in Dunedin on the 4th July 1900 aged 81.

References: Above the Belt: a History of the suburb of Maori Hill by Jane Smallfield and Brian Heenan (for the Maori Hill Charitable Trust), Otago Uni Print 2006.

Historic Cemeteries Conservation Trust

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

Papers Past
Robert Murray
Source: McFarlane

There are 2 Interments in this grave:

Surname First names Age Date of death Date of burial
MURRAY ROBERT KINNIBURGH 81 Years 04-Jul-1900 06-Jul-1900
MURRAY ROBINA GRAHAM BURN 48 Years 24-May-1879 25-May-1879