Biography of Robin Murdoch

Medical graduate Robin Murdoch was one of the University of Glasgow's sports stars of the 1930s.

A former pupil of Hillhead High School, he matriculated in 1929 and graduated MB ChB in 1934. During his time at the University he competed in athletics and rugby, with close attention paid to his career in the pages of Gilmorehill Globe. In 1932–3 he was captain of the Glasgow University Athletic Club athletics section, and on 7 November 1932 he was the subject of the 'Student Stars' sports column. On 29 October 1934 he was further honoured with a feature on his selection to a small GB team for the Victorian Centenary Games in Australia. Surprisingly he does not appear to have been awarded Blues for his sporting achievements.

Murdoch represented GB and Scotland on numerous occasions during the 1930s and won many national sprint titles as a University student, member of Atalanta Club and of Bellahouston Harriers. He was UK 220 yards champion in 1931 and 1935; Scottish 100 yards champion in 1934 and 220 yards champion 1931, 1933, 1934 and 1938; and won additional medals in these events throughout the 30s.

In 1934 he was selected to represent Scotland at the British Empire Games in London. There, he won a bronze medal as part of the 4 x 110 yard relay; the team's time stood as a Scottish record until 1964, and finished in 4th place in 220 yards and 5th in 100 yards.

When representing GB against France in Paris in July 1934 Murdoch set a Scottish 200m record of 21.5s which stood until 1960.

He later served as chairman of the Scottish Amateur Athletics Association.

Following graduation Murdoch pursued his medical career in Glasgow with the exception of service with Royal Army Medical Corps in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during World War 2. He was on the staff of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Royal Samaritan, becoming consultant gynaecologist, and Royal Maternity Hospitals, where he became consultant obstetrician.

He was also involved in medical education: he held the University of Glasgow's Royal Samaritan Lectureship in Gynaecology in 1967–76; and was long affiliated with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, serving as its senior vice president 1974–77.

Murdoch was married to Nora and together they had three sons.

Sources

Other Online Resources

• British Athletics, AAA champions 1919-39
• British Medical Journal, obituary, 18 February 1995, p. 462
• Commonwealth Games Federation, athlete search
• Gilmorehill Globe, search for Murdoch
• Scottish Athletics, progressive best performances, men
• Scottish Athletics, track champions 1883-1968, men

Archival Materials

• Glasgow University Magazine, GUAC supplement 1932-3, DC198/1/40
• Matriculation album 1929-30, R8/5/50/7
• University of Glasgow Senate calendars 1967-76, SEN10/110-SEN10/119
• University of Glasgow, medical final year dinner book 1929-34, DC225/1/32
• University of Glasgow, register of members of the General Council, 1965, DC183/11/90

Summary

Robin Murdoch
Born 1911.
Died 1994.
GU Degree: MB ChB, 1934;
University Link: Graduate, Lecturer
Occupation categories: gynaecologists; obstetricians
English snippet: Medical graduate, later lecturer, and champion sprinter who represented Scotland at the 1934 British Empire Games and GB on numerous occasions.
Record last updated: 16th Jun 2014

Country Associations

Scotland, Glasgow

University Connections

University Roles

• Graduate
• Lecturer

Images

GUAC athletcs 1932-3, Robin Murdoch is captain