Frederic "Feg" Murray was born in San Francisco, California on May 15, 1894. He was a descendant of the famous Mary Lindley Murray whose well-planned dinner party detained British General Howe and his officers long enough for the American troops to escape in 1776.
He acquired his nickname "Feg"as a child, and it stuck with him the rest of his life. Murray was educated at Palo Alto High School, and graduated from Stanford University's art department in 1916. While in college he was an interscholastic track star. His skills led him to be part of the 1920 Olympic team in the hurdles, and he won a Bronze medal in that category.
Murray studied at the Art Students League in New York City, after which he began a career as a cartoonist specializing in sports related cartoons. During that time he worked for the "New York Sun" and "United Features".
Murray returned to California in 1934, and for 18 years worked in Hollywood for the Los Angeles Times and King Features Syndicate as the creator of the cartoon Seein' Stars, based on the Hollywood movie colony.
By 1955 he had retired to Carmel Valley, California where he became an active member of the Carmel Art Association.
Murray died in his Carmel Valley home on July 16, 1973.
In addition to the Carmel Art Association, he was a member of the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
He exhibited his works at the Little Picture Gallery, and the Thunderbird Shop in Carmel and at the Mein Gallery in San Francisco.
Submitted by Gary Stanley/ArtSanDiego:
Source:
Edan Hughes, Artists in California, 1786-1940
Addendum:
According to a news article in the Washington Times (February 9, 1919, p. 11), Frederic Seymour (Feg) Murray served in France during World War I in the U.S. Army Camouflage Corps.
Submitted by Roy R. Behrens, author of False Colors: Art, Design and Modern Camouflage (2002)