Murray, Lindley

Lindley (1745-1826), an American grammarian. He was a native of Lancashire County, Pennsylvania. His mother, Mary Lindley Murray, is the heroine of an incident in the American Revolution. During the retreat of Washington's forces Howe was marching, September 15, 1776, to cut off Putman's command. Mrs. Murray invited him and his officers to wait for dinner. The good dame hastened to bake and broil, prolonging her preparations. The courteous Howe could not bring himself to disappoint a lady. In all he was delayed over two hours. By that time, Putnam, with his command, was out of danger. Young Murray studied law, but subsequently embarked in a commercial speculation in which he amassed a modest fortune. In 1784 he retired from business and settled at Holdgate, near York, England, where he resided until the time of his death. He was a man of scholarly habits and had a turn for writing. In 1795 he published an English Grammar for schools. It became at once the standard text in that subject both in England and the United States. It rivaled Webster's Spelling Book in the number of editions through which it passed. Of the last edition, appearing in 1818, it is said that 1,500,000 copies were sold.