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William Murdoch (sometimes spelled Murdock) ( August 21, 1754 - November 15, 1839) was a Scotish engineer and inventor. He was a pioneer of gas lighting, and his cottage in Boulton and Watt's Soho Foundry was the first domestic residence in the world to be so lit.

He was born near Cumnock, Ayrshire in Scotland. In 1777, he walked to Birmingham, a distance of over 300 miles, in order to ask for a job with James Watt, the famous steam engine manufacturers. Matthew Boulton, impressed by Murdoch's wooden hat, made on a lathe of his own design, gave him a job and within a short term he was well respected within the firm. He also became a member of the Lunar SocietyThe Lunar Society was a discussion club, of a number of prominent industrialists and scientists, who met regularly in the latter half of the 18th century in Birmingham, England. They met from 1765 to 1813. At first called the Lunar Circle, 'Lunar Society'.

In 1779Events The Iron Bridge is completed across the Severn river in Shropshire; the first all cast-iron bridge ever constructed. Boulton and Watt's Smethwick Engine, now the oldest working engine in the world, is brought into service. The city of Tampere is fo he was sent to RedruthRedruth is in the south-west of Cornwall, in England. It lies to the east of the A393, approximately 8 miles west of Truro, 12 miles east of St Ives and 5 miles north west of Falmouth. Historically, Redruth was a small market town, overshadowed by its nei in CornwallCornwall ( Cornish: Kernow is the part of Great Britain's south-west peninsula that is west of the River Tamar. It is generally regarded as a county of, and a part of England, although advocates of Cornish independence regard it as a separate nation, and as a senior engine erector. While there he occupied his leisure time in design and invention. Among his innovations were Britain's first steam-powered roadster in 1785Events January 1st The first issue of the Daily Universal Register later known as The Times is published in London. January 7 Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries travel from Dover, England to Calais, France in a hydrogen gas balloon and gas lighting in 1792Events January 25 The London Corresponding Society is founded. February 20 The Postal Service Act, establishing the United States Post Office Department, is signed by President George Washington. March 16 King of Sweden Gustav III Shot in the back by Jaco.

He is remembered by the MoonstonesThe Moonstones are a set of eight carved memorials to various members of the Lunar Society. Made in 1998, they can be viewed in the grounds of the Asda supermarket in Great Barr, Birmingham, England. They are visible from the road, when driving up Queslet; a statue of him, Boulton and Murdoch, by William BloyeWilliam Bloye was a sculptor, active in Birmingham either side of the second world war, and head of sculpture at Birmingham School of Art, where one of his pupils was Raymond Mason. Works Boulton, Watt and Murdoch Hall of Memory, Birmingham Bloye, William; and Murdock Road, all in Birmingham.