James Edward Murdoch, an American actor, born in Philadelphia, Jan. 25, 1811. He first appeared on the stage in the Arch street theatre, subsequently played in various southern cities, and in June, 1838, appeared in the Park theatre, New York, in leading characters, in support of Ellen Tree. He withdrew from the stage in 1842 to devote himself to the teaching of elocution, and also gave a series of lectures on Shakespeare's characters in Boston, Philadelphia, and New York. On Oct, 20, 1845, he appeared as Hamlet in the Park theatre, New York, and subsequently made professional tours in Canada, California, and England, appearing in the Haymarket theatre, London, in 1856. In 1858 he retired to a farm in Lebanon, Ohio. During the civil war he gave elocutionary entertainments throughout the north in aid of the sanitary commission, devoted himself to the care of sick and wounded soldiers, and served for a while on the staff of Gen. Rousseau. Since then he has resided in Philadelphia as a professional elocutionist. In conjunction with William Russcll he published "Orthophony, or Culture of the Voice " (12mo, Boston, 1845).