| Description | Matthew Murray was an engineer and engine maker of Leeds, in Yorkshire. He and his partners Fenton and Wood were based at the Round Foundry. Around 1797 it was brought to Boulton & Watt’s attention that Murray was infringing their patents, John Rennie in particular pointing out that "This man makes very free with your patents, would it not be well to look sharply after him." (MS 3147/3/298/15). However Boulton & Watt did not pursue any legal action against him at this point.
In 1799 a further clash occurred between Murray and Boulton & Watt. In April Murray entered an unsuccessful caveat against William Murdock’s patent, which included the slide valve and the "endless" boring screw which Murdock had employed at Soho Foundry. This took place against a background of increased rivalry between the two parties, as Boulton & Watt were aware that Murray’s work was cheaper and of a higher quality than theirs. Boulton & Watt made various efforts to learn Murray’s processes over the next two years, including various visits to Leeds and even the purchase of part of the premises next to the Round Foundry.
Murray took out a patent for "Improvements on the Steam Engine for the purposes of saving fuel, lessening the Expense of erecting Steam Engines and producing a more steady motion" in 1799. In 1801 he took out a further patent, "A Method of Constructing the Air Pump and sundry other parts belonging to a Steam Engine, by which a considerable saving will be made in the consumption of fuel and an increased power obtained." Boulton Watt & Co. claimed that the parts of this latter patent which Murray claimed as new had in fact been practised at Soho for several years prior to the patent, and that Murray had obtained knowledge of them by seducing workmen away from Soho. They also claimed that further parts of Murray’s patent infringed Murdock’s patent of 1799, and that other parts were impracticable or pointless.
Legal action was pursued against Murray through the Courts of Chancery and King’s Bench. Murray offered to grant Boulton Watt & Co. an exclusive licence to use his inventions, provided the court case was dropped. Boulton Watt & Co. refused, and the verdict went in their favour. Murray’s patent was revoked, and Murray did not contest the outcome.
This bundle contains correspondence, memoranda and drawings concerning Murray’s patent and his engines and the trial, and documents from the legal proceedings. For a transcript and drawings of Murray’s patent of 1799, see "Designs by William Murdock, Atmospheric and Other Engines, Drawings for Court Cases," Portfolio MS 3147/5/1353b. |