John Edward Murray

I knew John and his wife during grad school. I have very fond memories of him. He was very kind, and had a great laugh. My heart goes out to Lynn and her daughters.

John and I met in the mid-1990s. He was a recently hired Assistant Professor at the University of Toledo and I, same, a few miles down the road at Bowling Green State University. We attended economics and economic history seminars together in Toledo, Bowling Green, Ann Arbor, Columbus (at Rick Steckel's group), and at national and international conferences. I moved to Emory in '99, and was spending more time with statisticians than historians, but John and I always managed to stay in touch. Many here and elsewhere have mentioned how strong a family man he was. I can testify to that. He always asked first about my children and significant other prior to getting down to scholarly matters, which was of course very passionate too. I miss him already. In fact, I was looking to see if he was still at Rhodes when I found (shockingly) his obit, first. With prayers and all good wishes to Lynn and the children. Steve Ziliak, Roosevelt University, Chicago

John and I were friends since grad school -- I was at U of Iillinois while he was at OSU. He was always such a calm and caring person. We will miss him. My most sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

I first met John while I was a grad student at the University of Michigan. He was incredibly kind and supportive. Economic history has lost a wonderful scholar and mentor.

My sincerest condolences to John's family. He spoke frequently and lovingly of his wife and daughters.

John was such a gentle soul. I cannot once remember him raising his voice or having a negative thing to say. I felt a peace when in his presence, and an intellectual honesty that inspired. My sincerest condolences to his family for their sudden loss.

What a great loss ot the economic history community, professionally and personally. My condolences to the family.

John was an outstanding scholar and kind man. I learned a tremendous amount from him every time we talked and will miss him greatly.

John welcomed us to Memphis and Rhodes in 2015, and we could not have asked for a more gracious and generous host. His book on the Charleston Orphan House is a beautiful piece of work, a rarity for our field in blending economic and social history. His passing is a real shock, but we can be grateful for the years John has given us.

I was very sorry indeed to learn of John's passing. I always enjoyed meeting him and learned a great deal from his work. He always struck me as a very kind, considerate and thoughtful human being. I am sure that he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

My sincere condolences to John's family and friends. He was an active and valuable participant in the Michigan Economic History Seminar for many years. We missed him when he left Toledo, and will miss him more now.

John was a lovely colleague and a genuinely kind person. He will be greatly missed.

John was one of the most pleasant people you will ever meet. I always looked forward to seeing him at Cliometric Society or Economic History meetings. I agree that he was taken from us far too early. We will all miss him.

John was a wonderful person. Kind, supportive, terrifically smart and intellectually curious. He once drove an hour from Toledo to Ann Arbor just have lunch. I always enjoyed seeing him at conferences and was thrilled one hoiday break to run into him at Arnold's in Cincinnati. He will be missed.

I learned so much from John -- especially about the history of health insurance -- but even more about his devotion to teaching, scholarship, service to our profession, and the musical interests of his daughters. Economic history meetings will not be the same without him.

John was an accomplished scholar and a terrific person. He was someone I was always happy to meet up with at the annual meetings. His quiet demeanor belied a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed by everyone. who knew him.

John was a kind man and a perceptive scholar. This is a great loss for his family, his community, and for the community of scholars.

John was a superb scholar, teacher, mentor, and, as a person, a model for the rest of us.

John was a scholar and a gentleman he will be profoundly missed.

John was a true scholar and a great human being. I feel privileged to have known him. My deepest condolences go to his wife and daughters.

John was one of the kindest people I have met in academia, always ready to help especially young scholars at an early stage. My condolences to his family.

John was a great colleague and mentor. His death is a great loss for Rhodes College and for the entire academy.

John was a great scholar, a generous colleague, and a kind friend. I will miss him.

John was a wonderful and thoughtful colleague. He was always ready to offer helpful comments on my work. For his engaged and constructive manner, and his kindness, he was valued by our scholarly community. We will all miss him.

John was a gentle and generous scholar who was taken from us far too early. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I pray that persists in all of us who knew him. My condolence to his family.

I will always remember the kindness John showed me when I was new to the profession, and his continual comments on my work always made it better. Many, many people will miss him.

John was a great example of integrity and decency in our profession and also a very generous friend. I will miss him.

My wife, Barbara, are so sad to learn of John's passing. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

My deepest condolences to John's wife and daughters. I have known John since we were both in graduate school. He was an admired colleague and scholar of the highest repute, a wonderful father, and a great friend. He will be dearly missed.

Doug and I are saddened to hear of John's passing. We have fond memories of John at my parents Finneytown House in Cincinnati.

Words cannot express our sadness.
John was the best man at our wedding, and godfather to our son.

https://www.rhodes.edu/bio/murrayj