He was born , the son of Sir
William Murray of
Tullibardine and Agnes Graham, a daughter of
William Graham, 2nd Earl of Montrose and Janet Keith. His paternal aunt was the influential
Annabell Murray, Countess of Mar. In August 1580, his father resigned the office of
Comptroller of Scotland and
James VI gave it to him. Murray was a Master of the Household to
James VI of Scotland. His uncle
Mungo Graham of Rathernis was another courtier who shared this role. His brother, Captain George Murray, accompanied James VI in Denmark in 1590. In September 1590, Tullibardine and his brother-in-law Robert Murray of Abercairnie were guests of the
Laird of Glenorchy at Balloch, now
Taymouth Castle. James VI often visited him at
Tullibardine or Gask. James VI attended the wedding Murray's daughter
Lilias Murray and
John Grant of
Freuchie on 21 June 1591. James VI performed in a masque with his valet, probably
John Wemyss of Logie. They wore Venetian carnival masks and helmets with red and pink taffeta costumes. James VI was at Tullibardine again for New Year in 1592. On 20 July 1593, he hit
William Edmondstone of Duntreath in the face with the hilt of his sword during a session of the
Parliament in the
Tolbooth of Edinburgh, in the king's presence. The Dutch ambassadors
Walraven III van Brederode and Jacob Valcke mentioned Murray as steward or master of household to the king at
Stirling Castle during the
baptism of Prince Henry in August 1594. Murray fought at the
Battle of Glenlivet against
George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly, and
Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll. The king invited the
Earl of Mar to join them "making merry" at Gask on 28 July 1595. This was probably the "in-fare" feast for the wedding of
Anne Murray. James VI stayed at Tullibardine for the first week in January 1598. In April 1598, the
Duke of Holstein, brother of
Anne of Denmark visited Tullibardine on a progress with the
Duke of Lennox. Alexander Menzies of Weem complained in January 1599 that Murray had welcomed Donald Menzies and John Dow MacWilliam alias MacGregor, two thieves, as his household men and servants. MacWilliam had broken into the Place of Weem, now called
Castle Menzies, and rescued Donald Menzies from a cell. He consolidated his position as head of the family with two "bands of association" in 1586 and 1599 in which he was recognized as chief by numerous Murray lairds including the Morays of Abercairny in Perthshire. In April 1604, he was made Lord Murray of Tullibardine, on 10 July 1606 he became
Earl of Tullibardine. ==Family==