James Murdoch Hay was born in Coldstream, Scotland on 15 December 1823. It is uncertain with whom he received his training as an architect. It was possibly with one of his two elder brothers, John Hay (1811-1861) or William Hardie Hay (1813-1901). By 1847 William and James Murdoch Hay had moved to Liverpool and in c.1848, with John Hay, they formed the partnership J, W H & J M Hay. Following the death of John Hay in 1861, the practice was renamed W. & J. Hay. The business closed following the death of William Hay in 1901. James Murdoch Hay subsequently retired. He died in October 1915.
For a comprehensive list of architectural projects by James Murdoch Hay and his practice see The Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1660-1980
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 109, 22 October 1915 p.296
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 109, 29 October 1915 p.312
Walker, David M. ‘Presbyterian Variations on Themes by Sharpe and Pugin:The Scottish Work of the Hays of Liverpool’.