Winthrop Murray was one of the founding members of the Arcanum and personal secretary to its first Grand Chancellor, Benjamen Holmscroft. Murray was one of the occultists summoned by Holmscroft on November 24, 1885 to discuss the failings of organizations such as the Hermetic Order of the Rising Day. Murray, an Egyptologist with an interest in ritual magic, agreed that these orders were not serious about their research. He agreed to join the nascent Arcanum and serve as its secretary. He was dubious about the idea of initiating women into the society, but otherwise served faithfully.