Lord George Murray was a clergyman in the Church of England during the eighteenth century. He served as Bishop of St. David's from 1801 until his death in 1803. Like many clergyman over the centuries, his interests ventured beyond the divine and into the realm of science. He is famous for creating Great Britain's first optical telegraph. The first messages sent over telegraph occurred in 1796, from London to Deal.

Murray was born into nobility, the second son of John Murray, Third Duke of Atholl.His grandfather was also George Murray, who was a prominent Jacobite general. Like many second sons from the upper classes, Murray was groomed to enter the clergy, despite any personal plans to the contrary. He married a noblewoman named Anne Charlotte Grant. She was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Charlotte. According to a contemporary observer, Murray's wife was a domineering woman, often involving herself in local affairs, much to the despair of her husband. The couple had five children. His eldest son, also named George, followed in his father's clerical footsteps, eventually rising to the position of Bisho of Sodor and Man, and Bishop of Rochester. One of George, senior's, daughters, named Charlotte, married a clergyman, Townshend Selwyn, Canon of Gloucester. Another daughter, Amelia, never married but was the author of a popular memoir, published in 1868.

Murray was described by a contemporary as "noble looking, of engaging manners, and of benevolent disposition, dignified and gentlemanly in his bearing." He displayed a fondness for the Isle of Man, where he served as bishop late in life. He often donated anonymously to island people in need, and was responsible for rebuilding the Bishop's Court. He hired architect Thomas Brine, who restored the building to its original Gothic style, but later demolished it in favor of a more modern Georgian design.

In a treatise he presented to the House of Commons sometime between 1801-1803, Murray remarked that the position of Bishop on the Isle of Man was of great importance to the community. "The constant presence of the Bishop is necessary as head of the council, the principal branch of the legislature in the island, and as leading trustee of all the insular charities: these are duties which cannot be exercised by an Archdeacon, or any other deputy."