British Online Archives

A British ambassador to Washington from 1917 until 1918, Arthur C. Murray served as the Assistant Military Attaché to the British Embassy. While Murray worked with Franklin Roosevelt the two men became close friends. They continued writing to each other until Roosevelt's death in 1945. The Murray- Roosevelt letters reveal how the President's foreign policy evolved prior to World War Two. Murray’s early letters cover his involvement in the Irish Home Rule Council. They also include his contact with Woodrow Wilson's key adviser during the Great War, Colonel House. These items refer to the Quarantine speech of 1937 and the Munich settlement of 1938. Murray's other contacts include the President of the Board of Trade during the Great Depression, Walter Runciman; and the Canadian Prime Minister during World War Two, William Lyon Mackenzie King,

It sheds light on Anglo-American relations from the First World War to the Second; and it reveals MurrayÕs personal and political relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt through his Presidency until his death in 1945

Tony McCulloc, Canterbury Christ Church University

Key Documents

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Insights

As an ambassador to the United States during World War One, Murray both liaised directly with the American administration and received information upon them from colleagues in the intelligence service.

Murray was also involved in Irish politics in the build-up to the First World War. He served as the treasurer of the Home Rule Council until the war started.

Franklin Roosevelt developed a friendship with Murray during his time in the United States. The 1919-1936 correspondence between them covers Roosevelt's bid to become President in 1932.

Eleanor Roosevelt would continue to correspond with Murray until his death. The correspondence for 1949-1953 contains the most detailed letters as they discussed Nato and other international issues.

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