George Washington Murray was born in 1953 to parents who were enslaved. Thus, he remained enslaved until he was 13 years old. 

Although he never attended a primary school, George did teach himself how to read and write. 

In 1874, George enrolled at the University of South Carolina. 

However, in 1877, he was forced out of the university along with the other Black students, due to segregation laws.

The second institution he enrolled in was the State Normal Institution. 

After he graduated college, George worked as a farmer, a teacher, and a lecturer. He also invented eight different items, which all got patented.

In 1877, he married Ella Reynolds, and together they had two children named Edward and Pearl.

George got interested in politics after he was selected as the Sumter County delegate in 1880, and showed support for the current Republican presidential candidate.