Murray, Philip

(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 (1920–42) 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.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica