John Murdoch (teacher) facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids John Murdoch
Robert Burns's holograph in his Commonplace Book 1783–1785
Born	25 March 1747 Ayr, Scotland
Died	circa 1824 London, England
Occupation	Teacher

John Murdoch was a very important teacher and friend to the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns and his family. Born in 1747, Murdoch started teaching Robert and his brother Gilbert in Alloway when he was just 18 years old. He stayed in touch with the Burns family even after he moved to London. John Murdoch, along with Robert's father William Burnes and Richard Brown, greatly influenced Robert Burns when he was young.

Who Was John Murdoch?
John Murdoch and Robert Burns
- Learning with Murdoch
- Murdoch's Memories of Robert and Gilbert
A Manual of Religious Belief
Letters Between Burns and Murdoch
See also

Who Was John Murdoch?

The Kilmarnock Edition of Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect

John Murdoch's parents were John Murdoch, who was also a teacher, and Margaret Robinson. His family lived in a two-story house in Ayr.

Murdoch later moved to London with his wife. There, he taught French and did quite well for a while. However, many French teachers came to Britain because of the French Revolution. This made it harder for him to find work. So, he opened a stationery shop and a library to help make money.

He also wrote several books about the French language. One of his books, Rules to be Observed by the Natives of Scotland for Attaining a Just Pronunciation of English, was even mentioned in a famous dictionary. Murdoch traveled to France and met important people, including Charles de Talleyrand, who was a foreign minister for both Napoleon and King Louis XVIII. Murdoch taught English to Talleyrand.

Sadly, John Murdoch faced financial difficulties later in life. He died in 1824 when he was 77 years old. Friends and fans of Robert Burns helped raise money to support Murdoch in his final years. He was buried in London.

John Murdoch and Robert Burns

Burns's Cottage in Alloway.

In May 1765, when Robert Burns was about seven years old, his father, William Burnes, hired John Murdoch. Murdoch was only 18 and had studied at Ayr Academy. He became a tutor for the Burns children and the children of four neighbors. William Burnes met Murdoch at an inn in Ayr and asked to see his handwriting. He also asked about Murdoch's teaching methods.

Murdoch lived with the children's parents in their homes, taking turns. The school building was near the Burns family home in Alloway. After the family moved to Mount Oliphant, Robert and Gilbert continued to go to Murdoch's school for two more years. They walked there and back, but they didn't go every day.

Murdoch later moved away for a few years. He returned to Ayr in 1772. Burns wrote that Murdoch "sent us Pope's Works, and some other poetry." These were some of the first poems they read outside of their school books.

Learning with Murdoch

The old Kirk of Ayr.

When Robert Burns was 14, he stayed with Murdoch for three weeks in Ayr. He learned English and started to learn French. His father wanted Robert to be able to teach his younger brothers and sisters.

Murdoch became the "established teacher of the English language" at Ayr Burgh School. He was also the librarian for the Ayr Literary Society. This allowed William Burnes to borrow books for his family, even though they weren't members. Murdoch lent Robert the book Life of Hannibal, which was the first book he read outside of school.

Murdoch was known for being a very precise teacher. He stayed in touch with the Burns family. On half-holidays, he would often visit their home. He sometimes brought academic friends who would join William Burnes in interesting discussions.

Murdoch noticed that Robert's sister, Agnes Burns, would join in when she was free. He also said that William Burnes was "an excellent husband" and that he believed "a larger portion of content than in any palace in Europe" lived in their humble cottage.

In 1790, Murdoch visited Robert Burns's younger brother, William, who was working in London. Sadly, William died shortly after Murdoch's visit. Murdoch helped with the funeral and sent Robert the sad news. This was their last communication.

Murdoch's Memories of Robert and Gilbert

Robert Burns and his muse, Coila

John Murdoch shared his memories of teaching Robert and Gilbert Burns: "My pupil, Robert Burns, was then between six and seven years of age... He and his younger brother Gilbert had learned a little English before they came to me. They both quickly improved in reading and wrote fairly well. In reading, dividing words into syllables, spelling without a book, and understanding sentences, Robert and Gilbert were usually at the top of the class. This was true even when they were with older boys.

The main books used in school were the Spelling Book, the New Testament, the Bible, and other collections of prose and poetry. They easily memorized hymns and poems. This was partly because their father and I taught them to fully understand every word. We also taught them to change poetry into regular sentences and to use similar words for poetic ones. This helped us know that they understood what they were reading."

Murdoch also compared the brothers' talents: "Gilbert always seemed to me to have a more active imagination and to be funnier than Robert. I tried to teach them a little church music. Here, they were far behind everyone else in the school. Robert's ear, especially, was very bad, and his voice was not good. It took a long time for me to get them to tell one tune from another.

Robert's face was usually serious and showed a thoughtful mind. Gilbert's face seemed to say, 'I want to live with fun.' If anyone who knew the two boys had been asked which one was more likely to become a poet, they would never have guessed Robert."

A Manual of Religious Belief

Lyre, horn and book fleuron from Poems, Letters, etc., etc. Ascribed to Robert Burns.

Around 1777, John Murdoch helped William Burnes write A Manual of Religious Belief. This book was created for the family to use. It was written in Murdoch's distinct handwriting, and he is said to have corrected William's grammar.

Dr. James Currie wrote that William Burnes "was a religious person." He also said that William's book showed his kind heart. It seemed to soften some of the strict religious ideas of the time.

It is believed that some features of John Murdoch's handwriting can be seen in Robert Burns's early writing.

Letters Between Burns and Murdoch

John Murdoch and Robert Burns kept in touch through letters.

Burns's Letter to Murdoch

On January 15, 1783, Burns wrote to Murdoch from Lochlee Farm: "Dear Sir... I have not forgotten, nor will ever forget the many good things you did for me. I am sure, Sir, you will want to know what came of all the hard work of a kind father and a great teacher...

When it comes to books, I buy a lot. My favorite authors write emotional stories, like Shenstone, especially his poems; [James] Thomson; A man of Feeling (a book I value almost as much as the Bible); Man of the World; [Laurence] Sterne, especially his Sentimental Journey; [James] McPherson's Ossian, and others. These are the wonderful examples I try to follow in my life."

Murdoch's Letter to Burns

On October 28, 1787, Murdoch wrote to Burns from London. He wrote about how successful Burns's published poems were: "If you ever come here, you will be happy to see your poems enjoyed by Scots people in London just as much as they are in Edinburgh. We often read some of your verses in our Caledonian Society. You can believe I am very proud that I had some part in helping such a talented person."

Burns's Letter About His Brother

On July 16, 1790, Burns wrote to Murdoch about his brother William, who lived in London. He said that William would be pleased to meet a friend of his father's. He also gave Murdoch William's last known address.

Murdoch's Sad News

On September 14, 1790, Murdoch wrote to Burns. He said that his friend Mr. Kennedy had told him William was ill. Murdoch went to visit William as soon as he could. However, when he arrived, he found that William had died from a fever. Murdoch had contacted doctor friends, but it was too late.