Archibald K. Murray

Born in Glasgow on June 26, 1834, Archibald Keir Murray was the son of publisher and bookseller Thomas Murray and Margaret Helen Scott Keir. He followed the family trade and became a publisher himself, later also working as an advertising agent, editor, and author.

Murray is chiefly remembered as the author of History of the Scottish Regiments in the British Army, published in 1862. Outside his writing, he was closely involved with Glasgow Chess Club in the 1860s and played in West versus East of Scotland matches. After moving to London, he remained active in literary and publishing work.

He also had a role in public life beyond books: in 1859 he helped form the Glasgow Volunteer Rifle Corps and later became a Major in the 97th Lanarkshire Volunteer Guards. In 1906, when the British Correspondence Chess Association was founded, Murray became its first president. He died in London on May 17, 1907.