Dictionary of National Biography, 1901 supplement/Muirhead, George
MUIRHEAD, GEORGE (1715–1773), professor at Glasgow University, born on 24 June 1715, was second son of John Muirhead of Teggetsheugh, Stirlingshire, a patrimony held for generations by this branch of the Muirheads of Lauchop. Matriculating at Glasgow in 1728, and graduating M.A. Edinburgh in 1742, he was in 1746 ordained minister of Mingaff, Wigtonshire, and within a year was promoted to the parish of Dysart in Fife. In December 1762 he resigned this charge, on being elected professor of oriental languages in the university of Glasgow, and on 2 Dec. 1754 he was promoted to the chair of humanity, which he held with distinction till his death on 31 Aug. 1773. He was 'an enthusiastic and accomplished classical scholar,' and with James Moor [q. v.], professor of Greek, superintended the noble edition of Homer in 4 vols. fol., printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis of Glasgow (the 'Iliad' in 1756, the 'Odyssey,' with the 'Hymns' and 'Fragments,' in 1758). He also supervised the equally beautiful edition of Virgil, printed somewhat later under the same auspices. In memory of Muirhead his surviving brothers (John of Teggetsheugh, and Patrick, 1718-1807, who succeeded George as minister of Dysart) founded in 1776, with a gift of 100l., the 'Muirhead Prizes,' which are given annually in the humanity class of Glasgow College.
[Nisbet's Heraldry; Account of the Family of the Muirheads of Lachop, a very rare work, n. d., but, from internal evidence, about 1750; Memorials of the Rev. Robert Morehead, D.D. (with supplementary note on the Family of Muirhead or Morehead of Lauchop), by Charles Morehead; Deeds instituting Bursaries, Scholarships, and other Foundations in the College and University of Glasgow, printed for the Maitland Club, 1850; the Snell Exhibitions, by W. Innes Addison; private information.]