1. Life
John Murray's life spanned a significant period of diplomatic service for Great Britain, marked by his appointments in two key regions: Venice and the Ottoman Empire. His personal background, including his family and marriage, influenced aspects of his early diplomatic postings.
1.1. Early Life and Marriage
John Murray is believed to have been born around 1712 or 1714 on the Isle of Man. In 1748, he married Bridget Wentworth, who was the widow of Sir Butler Cavendish Wentworth. Bridget was the daughter of Sir Ralph Milbanke, 4th Baronet, and Elizabeth Darcy. This marital connection proved influential, as his appointment as British Resident in Venice was reportedly facilitated by his wife's maternal relative, Robert Darcy, the 4th Earl of Holderness, who became Secretary of State for the Northern Department in March 1754.
2. Diplomatic Career
Murray's diplomatic career saw him serve in two significant posts, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for British foreign policy.
2.1. British Resident in Venice
Murray received his credentials as British Resident to the Republic of Venice on July 30, 1754, succeeding Sir James Gray, 2nd Baronet. He arrived in Venice with his wife on October 9 of the same year. Following the accession of King George III of Great Britain, Murray received new credentials on November 21, 1760, reaffirming his position. He served in this role until 1765, when he was succeeded by James Wright. During his tenure in Venice, Murray became closely associated with the adventurer and writer Giacomo Casanova, and their relationship was reportedly marked by mutual indulgence in social and recreational activities.
2.2. British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire
On November 15, 1765, Murray was appointed British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, succeeding Robert Colebrooke, and receiving his credentials for this new role on February 6, 1766. Despite expressing in a 1767 letter that he had previously declined transfers multiple times, he acknowledged that he was compelled to accept this promotion. He departed Venice on May 11, 1767, arriving in Constantinople on June 2, 1767. Notably, his wife, Bridget, did not accompany him to Constantinople. Instead, she chose to travel to England with Angelica Kauffman, an artist whom Murray had sponsored and befriended during his time in Venice; they arrived in England on June 22, 1767.
As ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Murray endeavored to maintain strong relations between Great Britain and the Ottoman Porte. However, his efforts as a diplomat were generally considered ordinary. He notably failed in his attempts to mediate peace negotiations during the Russo-Turkish War, which lasted from 1768 to 1774. Additionally, he was unsuccessful in preventing the decline of the Levant Company, a significant British trading enterprise in the region.
3. Death
John Murray's diplomatic service concluded with his death while attempting to return home. Following the death of his wife in 1774, Murray requested leave to return to Great Britain, which was granted on January 27, 1775. To facilitate his departure, Anthony Hayes, the British consul in Izmir, was summoned to Constantinople and arrived on May 15, 1775. Murray subsequently left Constantinople on May 25, 1775, embarking on his journey home. However, he did not reach Britain, as he died during a stop-over in Venice on August 9, 1775. After Murray's departure, Anthony Hayes served as chargé d'affaires until Robert Ainslie arrived on October 2, 1776, to assume the ambassadorship.
4. Personal Life
Beyond his diplomatic duties, John Murray was known for his distinct personal traits and a reputation that drew both companionship and criticism from his contemporaries.
4.1. Reputation and Relationships
John Murray was described as a stout man in physical appearance. He earned a reputation as a "notorious rake," particularly during his residency in Venice, where he frequently engaged in womanizing alongside Giacomo Casanova. Casanova himself recounted a particularly controversial incident, claiming that Murray propositioned Casanova's mistress, AncillaAncillaItalian, mere minutes before her death from syphilis. This aspect of Murray's personal conduct and his general reputation for philandering led to strong disapproval from figures of his time, including the prominent writer Mary Wortley Montagu, who reportedly disliked him due to his extensive romantic escapades.
5. Assessment
John Murray's diplomatic career is largely assessed as that of an ordinary diplomat. While he worked to maintain relations with the Ottoman Empire, his effectiveness was limited in several key areas. His attempts to mediate the peace negotiations during the Russo-Turkish War were unsuccessful, and he failed to stem the decline of the Levant Company. These outcomes highlight limitations in his diplomatic influence or capacity, leading to an overall evaluation that points to a career of moderate, rather than outstanding, achievement.