born , May 25, 1886, Blantyre, Lanark, Scot.
died Nov. 9, 1952, San Francisco, Calif., U.S.
Scottish-born U.S. labour leader.
After immigrating to the U.S. in 1902, he became a coal miner in Pennsylvania. He joined the United Mine Workers of America and rose through the ranks to serve as vice president (192042) under John L. Lewis . When Lewis became president of the newly formed Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1936, he delegated Murray to create an industry-wide steelworkers' union (see United Steelworkers of America ). Murray succeeded Lewis as CIO president in 1940 and held the post until his death. See also AFL-CIO .