Born in Manhattan's east Harlem, would start
dancing late in life as he was originally an architect. Arthur
Murray originally learned from Vernon
and Irene Castle at Castle
House. He was the first to sell dance steps through the mail
(Foxtrot) at 10 cents each. Murray worked for the "Dance
Masters of America" and created many dances for them.
Arthur married Kathryn in 1925 after meeting her on a radio show
in New Jersey earlier in 1924.
His first studio was in Atlanta called
the "Arthur Murray Correspondence School of Dancing" and
later opened up a popular chain of studios under his own name, with the first being
in Manhattan and by 1965 had over 350 (later 500) franchised
studios, he remained in charge until
1964 when he resigned as President
of the company, mainly due to his high pressure "contract"
sales tactics, which came under fire by the Federal Trade commission.
These charges were not the first time, they go back to March 30th, 1946, as a result we have the "Arthur Murray Laws dealing with dance contracts and such, so over all it was a good thing. The Murray's had a popular dance television show (1950-1961)
called the "Arthur Murray Dance Party" which was really a advertisement program that went from different networks and back and forth over the years.
Jane Murray, their daughter married Henry Heimlich who is credited with the "Heimlich maneuver" and saving thousands. She is an author and also wrote her memoirs in a book called "Out Of Step" which tells of her life as a Murray.
Burlesque 
