Murray

Dr. Robert G.E. Murray’s official obituary ably describes his illustrious professional career and rich personal life. In contrast, my submission is a private recollection of Bob Murray as a friend, mentor and as a historical subject. These diverse features found special expression during the three years I worked with Bob in preparing the book “The Meaning of Life: The Scientific and Social Experiences of Everitt and Robert Murray” (Champlain Society, 2008) . Three memories emerge from this experience. First, there was our shared concerns about the misuse of science, and the specific threat of biological warfare. For Bob this latter subject had special meaning since his father volunteered to coordinate Canada’s biodefence program during the Second World War and early Cold war, at considerable professional and personal cost. Second, our research sessions for “The Meaning of Life” were intellectually challenging, given that I received a crash course in the basic principles of bacteriology/microbiology from a master of this discipline. Equally memorable was Bob’s great sense of fun, punctuated by his hearty laugh. Finally, the Avery/Murray bond was reinforced by our annual exchange of birthday greetings, since we were both born on 19 May. This communication lasted until the COVID 19 pandemic, when this terrible disease prevented direct communication. My condolences to Bob’s son Peter Murray (Markham) and daughter Alice Rae (Montreal) : we met at the Schulich Centre during the 2008 book launch of “The Meaning of Life.” Donald H. Avery Professor Emeritus, Department of History Western University (avery@uwo.ca)