Myles Thornton Murray studied at the University of Birmingham and qualified as Bachelor of Science (BSc) in 1908 and Master of Science (MSc) in metallurgy in 1909. He published a paper based on his MSc research , 'The copper-zinc
alloys: A study of volume changes' (with T. Turner) in the Journal of the Institute of Metals (1909). That same year he
was appointed as assistant lecturer and demonstrator in metallurgy and assaying
at the South African School of Mines and Technology (which later became the
University of the Witwatersrand) in Johannesburg, under Professor G.H.
Stanley*. During the next few years he published 'Notes on corrosion, with
special reference to the corrosion of steel winding ropes' (Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical and
Mining Society of South Africa, 1909/10), 'The testing of Transvaal coals'
(Ibid, 1910/1), and 'Notes on
absorption of gold on amalgamated copper plates, cast iron retorts and
amalgamation trays' (with G.H. Stanley, Ibid,
1911/2).
In 1914 Murray returned to the United Kingdom on leave, briefly visited America and upon his return joined Messrs Muntz's Metal Company. During World War I (1914-1918) he did important war work. However, his health was poor and he died in 1919. He was a member of the Institute of Metals and had an unusually clear intellect and great energy.
