James Murray

James Murray (1732–1782) was a non-conformist minister of the Church of Scotland and prolific religious author. He expressed his views freely, being strongly anti-Catholic and opposed to the American War of Independence. He also made political comments, condemning the administration of Lord North from 1770 onwards. His most infamous publication was the satirical "Sermons to Asses" of 1768 (multiple later editions) and the illustrated history "An Impartial History of the Present War in America". Life He was born at Fans near Earlston in Berwickshire the son of John Murray. He was educated locally then, somewhat late in life, went to Edinburgh University where he completed his study of Divinity in 1760. He became tutor to the family of William Weddell of Belford, Northumberland for a year then became assistant to the minister of Bondgate Church in Alnwick.