William Murdoch

William Murdoch (1754-1839) was a pioneer of gas lighting. His home, a cottage in Boulton and Watt's Soho Foundry, was the first deomstic residence in the world to be so lit.

He was born near Cumnock, Ayrshire in Scotland. In 1877, he walked to Birmingham, a distance of over 300 miles, in order to ask for a job with James Watt, the famous steam engine manufacturers. Matthew Boulton, impressed by Murdoch's wooden hat, made on a lathe of his own design, gave him a job and within a short term he was well respected within the firm.

In 1779 he was sent to Redruth in Cornwall as a senior engine erector. While there he occupied his leisure time in design and invention. Among his innovations were Britain's first steam-powered roadster in 1785 and gas lighting in 1792.

He is remebered by the Moonstones and a statue of him, Boulton and Murdoch, by William Bloye, all in Birmingham.