Career
He was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 1925. He was born on 8 December 1862 in Ottawa, the son of James Murphy, who came to Ontario from Ireland, and Mary Conway. Murphy studied at Ottawa University and Osgoode Hall, was called to the Ontario bar in 1891 and practised law in Ottawa.
Murphy was Secretary of State for External Affairs from 1909 to 1911.
He also served as Postmaster General (1921–1926) and Secretary of State of Canada (acting) (1925–1926). He died in office in Ottawa in 1935.