William Murray, 8th Earl of Mansfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Mansfield and Mansfield
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| Born | 7 July 1930 |
| Died | 21 October 2015 (aged 85) |
| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Occupation | Barrister, politician |
| Title | 8th Earl of Mansfield and 7th Earl of Mansfield |
| Spouse(s) | Pamela Foster |
| Children | 2 sons, 1 daughter |
| Parent(s) | Mungo Murray, 7th Earl of Mansfield and Mansfield Dorothea Helena Carnegie |
| Relatives | Lancelot Carnegie (maternal grandfather) |
William David Mungo James Murray (born July 7, 1930 – died October 21, 2015) was an important British figure. He was known as the 8th Earl of Mansfield and a politician from the Conservative Party. Before he became an Earl in 1970, people called him Lord Scone.
Contents
Who Was William Murray?
William Murray was born on July 7, 1930. He was the only son of Mungo Murray, 7th Earl of Mansfield and Mansfield, and his mother, Dorothea Helena. His mother was the daughter of Sir Lancelot Carnegie.
His Education and Early Life
William went to two famous schools. First, he studied at Eton College, which is a well-known school for boys. After that, he went to Christ Church, Oxford, a college at the University of Oxford.
From 1949 to 1950, William served in the Scots Guards. This was a military role in Malaya, which is now part of Malaysia. After his military service, he became a barrister in 1958. A barrister is a type of lawyer who speaks in court. He worked as a barrister until 1971.
Becoming the Earl of Mansfield
In 1971, William's father passed away. This meant William inherited his father's title and became the Earl of Mansfield. This is why he was known as the 8th Earl of Mansfield.
William Murray's Political Career
William Murray was active in politics for many years. He held several important roles in the British government.
Serving in the European Parliament
From 1973 to 1975, William was part of the British group in the European Parliament. At that time, people didn't directly vote for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). He helped represent the UK's interests in Europe.
Working in the House of Lords
After his time in the European Parliament, William became a spokesperson for the opposition party in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is one of the two parts of the UK Parliament. He held this role from 1975 to 1979.
Ministerial Roles
William Murray also served as a Minister of State. This is a senior position in the government.
- From 1979 to 1983, he was a Minister of State in the Scottish Office. This office deals with government matters in Scotland.
- From 1983 to 1984, he was a Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office. This office handles government matters in Northern Ireland.
Other Important Roles
William Murray held several other important positions:
- In 1974, he was named an Honorary Sheriff of Perthshire. A sheriff is a legal officer.
- In 1975, he became a Justice of the Peace. This role involves helping with local justice.
- In 1980, he became a Deputy Lieutenant for Perth and Kinross. This is a representative of the King or Queen in a local area.
He also had roles in business and charities. For example, he was the first president of a group called the Federation of Hunting Associations of the European Communities (FACE) from 1977 to 1979. He was also the first President of the Scottish Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. From 1985 to 1996, he served as the First Crown Estate Commissioner, which manages land and property belonging to the King or Queen.
Family Life
William Murray married Pamela Joan Foster on December 19, 1955. They had three children together.
His Children
- Alexander David Mungo Murray, 9th Earl of Mansfield and Mansfield (born October 17, 1956)
- Lady Georgina Dorothea Mary Murray (born March 10, 1967)
- Hon James William Murray (born June 7, 1969)
Pamela, the Countess, was a supporter of the Royal Caledonian Ball, a special event. She passed away on October 2, 2022, at the age of 87.
When Did William Murray Pass Away?
William Murray died on October 21, 2015. His funeral and a special service were held at St John's Kirk of Perth on October 30, 2015. After his death, his son, Alexander David Mungo Murray, became the next Earl of Mansfield.
