Background
Bryan Mullanphy was the son of John Mullanphy, an Irish immigrant who became a wealthy merchant in Saint Louis and in Baltimore. Bryan Mullanphy was born in Baltimore in 1809 and the family moved to Saint Louis in 1819.
Bryan Mullanphy was the son of John Mullanphy, an Irish immigrant who became a wealthy merchant in Saint Louis and in Baltimore. Bryan Mullanphy was born in Baltimore in 1809 and the family moved to Saint Louis in 1819.
His early education took place in England and France. After returning to the United States, he became a lawyer and practiced in Saint Louis. In 1847, running as an independent, he was elected to a one-year term as Mayor.
A collection of Native American artefacts that Mullanphy donated to Stonyhurst College (his alma mater) in England was purchased by the British Museum in 2003.
A wealthy man and a philanthropist, Mullanphy is remembered more for his charitable work than his political service. His will provided that one-third of his holdings were to go to the City via a trust fund for the relief of emigrants and travelers coming to Saint Louis on their way to settle in the western part of the United States.
Mullanphy died in Saint Louis on June 15, 1851 at the age of 42. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery.
Mullanphy was a member of the Saint Louis Board of Aldermen from 1835 to 1836 and served as Judge of the Saint Louis Circuit Court from 1840 to 1844.