About F.H.M. Murray's Biography

About the Book...
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“Regrettably, neither version of A Dictionary of American Negro Biography (1983), edited by R. W. Logan and M. R. Winston’ list anything on Murray, who merits extended biographical notice.”

--Historian and author Herbert Aptheker

Introducing the Life and Legacy of the Man Who Revolutionized the Advancement of Disenfranchised Blacks and Established a Historically Never Exposed Twentieth Century, Post Civil War Underground Railroad in Alexandria, Virginia--the author presents:

F. H. M. Murray: First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice

Anita Hackley-Lambert will present a scholarly paper on her book, F.H.M. Murray: First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice (BookSurge, LLC, July 31, 2006), at the Niagara Movement Symposium – “The Niagara Movement and the Dawning of Twentieth Century Civil Rights”, Thursday, August 17, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. in Harper’s Ferry, WVA on the Historic Storer College Campus.

Freeman Henry Morris Murray died 56 years ago, but his major contributions to his race and to his cause have been forgotten for more than 100 years. His life and his legacy are examined in the first book ever published by a first time author, Anita Hackley-Lambert, his great granddaughter.

Hackley-Lambert’s book, F.H.M. Murray: First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice (BookSurge, LLC, July 31, 2006) portrays Murray as one of a few non-whites educated in a 19^th century predominately white school system and further self-educated mulatto and radical civil rights activist who was ahead of his times. Rejected and discriminated against by his white Scottish ancestors and a white racist society, he became a pioneer and trailblazer for his African American race. He mastered five languages, established a new family dynasty, founded several successful businesses, established a proven vision model to successfully overcome suppressive obstacles of white oppression to become a teacher, lecturer, newsman, editor, printer and publisher, first national and internationally recognized African American art historian, author, and real estate investor.

Who was the man behind the scenes of the Murray Underground Railroad? Why did he risk his life and the safety of his family to save fugitives from hanging? Why did he team up with W.E.B. Du Bois, William Monroe Trotter, L. M. Hershaw, J. R. Crawford, Ida B. Wells and others? What are his contributions to American history?

According to renown historian and author Herbert Aptheker “Murray merits extended biographical notice.” as he noted in the compiled and edited version of “Writings in Periodicals” by W.E.B. Du Bois. In this first biography, Hackley-Lambert spent twelve years researching and wading though mounds of documents and interviews to reveal the truth about this complex, elusive mastermind. In the process she uncovered the details of family secrets relating to an unknown Murray built Underground Railroad station with a false well, tunnels, hidden chambers and passages.

“Murray embraced obstacles in his life as wonderful opportunities and stepping stones to an enlarged vision geared to successfully advance the social status of his ‘beloved’ black race,” Hackley-Lambert said. In addition to helping his race, Murray built a business empire that helped vitalize the Shaw area of Washington, D.C., which lasted 89 years.

The major element that separates Murray from his peers and other historical figures is that he literally laid his life on the line for what he believed--to fight against civil injustice in the United States. Murray had a remarkable understanding and a vision of what black Americans needed to rise above white oppression. That vision became a reality by the life he lived and in the legacy he left behind.

For more information or to request a free review copy, please contact the author at <murray@anitahackleylambert.com/240-462-4128> or through the author’s website at <http://www.anitahackleylambert.com>. F.H.M. Murray: First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice is available from the author's site, and on sale at Amazon.com, Borders.com, BookSurge.com, and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.

About the Author

Anita Hackley-Lambert dreamed of writing since the age of twelve when she wrote her first unpublished book, No Where to Run, a story of multiple sexual assaults she suffered as a little girl. She was inspired to write Murrays story because of a promise she made to her mother to acknowledge and honor Murray’s legacy. With the publication of this book, she hopes to spark the interest of historians, educators, scholars, educational institutions, black history collectors, genealogists, students, and family members. Her greatest desire is that “each reader will come to know the essence of the man, F.H.M. Murray.”

About BookSurge

BookSurge LLC, an Amazon.com company, is a global leader in self-publishing and print-on-demand services. Offering unique publishing opportunities and access for authors, BookSurge boasts an unprecedented number of authors whose work has resulted in book deals with traditional publishers as well as successful authorpreneurs who enhance or build a business from their professional expertise.

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