David William Murray was born on 7 March 1777, the eldest son of David, 7th Viscount Stormont and 2nd Earl of Mansfield, and his second wife Louisa, third daughter of Charles Schaw, 9th Baron Cathcart. Louisa succeeded her husband's uncle on 20 March 1793 in the Earldom of Mansfield and David succeeded as 3rd Earl. On 16 September 1797 he married Frederica, daughter of Dr. William Markham, Archbishop of York; they had four daughters and two sons, the eldest of whom, William David, succeeded as 4th Earl of Mansfield on his fathers' death, 18 February 1840. The Earl was Lord-Lieutenant for Clackmannan, an appointment that was also taken up by his son.

Sittings are recorded on 13, 15, 17, 20, 24 November and 2 December 1779, and a fee of 27gns. was charged. Romney also painted Dr. Markham twice in 1790-5, one for his daughter Mrs. Law, and the second which remained in the artist's studio was included in the sale after his death (see J. Ingamells, The English Episcopal Portrait 1559-1835: A Catalogue, 1981, p.288).