Murdoch, Thomas (1758 -1846)

Thomas Murdoch of Cumloden was the fourth and only surviving son of Patrick Murdoch, and Nicolas [sic] daughter of John Gibson of Glencrosh. His father and his brothers emigrated to the United States, but Thomas remained in Madeira which the family had visited on the way to the States, and entered the mercantile house of Thomas Gordon there, becoming a partner in the firm in 1786. He married, in 1788. He returned to Great Britain with his wife’s family in 1803. They had nine children. By 1803 Thomas Murdoch was a wealthy man and after his return to England devoted himself to literary pursuits, was a founder member of the Athenaeum and of the Royal Geographical Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He died at his house 8 Portland Place in London in 1846.