Henry Graham Stanley Murray, formerly Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Virology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1983 – 1991 (died 20 February 2005)

(Obituary by John R Noble)

Graham Murray was born in Belfast in 1928.He was educated at Inchmarlo Preparatory School, Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Queen’s University Belfast where he qualified MB BCh in 1951.

On qualifying he chose to have a career in hospital medicine.He was soon attracted by the more scientific aspects of his work and this led him to pursue a career in virology for which he trained in the Belfast City and Royal Victoria Hospitals, Belfast.In 1961 he gained his MD in Virology.

In the same year he was appointed Assistant Virologist to the Lister Institute, London.Six years later he was Head of the Department of Virus Vaccines, where his improved methods greatly increased the production of smallpox vaccine.He was recognised by the World Health Organisation as an expert on smallpox vaccine.During his time at the Lister he was appointed Honorary Lecturer to London University.

When the Department of Virus Vaccines closed in 1973, he moved to the Public Health Laboratory at the Central Middlesex Hospital.Ten years later he was appointed Senior Lecturer in Virology and Honorary Consultant to the Prince of Wales Hospital in the Chinese University of Hong Kong.As the first person to be appointed to this post he was responsible for the organisation and teaching of virology and setting up and supervising clinical virology laboratories.He carried out this work with particular enthusiasm as it provided him with the opportunity to put in practice ideas which he had previously developed.

A major coronary infarct in 1991 brought early retirement and he returned to his home in Eastbourne where he lived quietly for the rest of is life.

His wife, Audrey, is a dentist whom he met when she was a student at Queen’s.They married in 1961 and the birth of their daughter, Caroline, brought them much happiness.

A classical violinist of considerable merit, he was offered a permanent position with the Ulster Orchestra while still in his teenage years which he reluctantly refused in order to study medicine.However, he enjoyed playing chamber music in an ensemble for many years.His knowledge and repertoire of classical music was extensive.

He died suddenly at home on 20th February 2005, a week before his 77th birthday.He is survived by his wife, daughter and three grandchildren.

Graham will be remembered by his many colleagues and friends as an innovative and widely respected virologist and for his absolute integrity, kindliness, sense of humour and outstanding musical ability.

 

 

Back to list 

 

 

 

Top of Page