Charles Murphy (Canadian politician)

For other people named Charles Murphy, see Charles Murphy (disambiguation).

Charles Murphy PC (December 8, 1862 – November 24, 1935) was a Canadian politician.

The Honourable Charles Murphy PC
The Honourable Charles Murphy, PC
Secretary of State for External Affairs
In office May 19, 1909 – October 6, 1911
Prime Minister	Wilfrid Laurier
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	William James Roche
Secretary of State for Canada
In office October 9, 1908 – October 6, 1911
Prime Minister	Wilfrid Laurier
Preceded by	Richard William Scott
Succeeded by	William James Roche
In office November 13, 1925 – March 23, 1926 (Acting)
Prime Minister	W. L. Mackenzie King
Preceded by	Walter Edward Foster
Succeeded by	Ernest Lapointe (Acting)
Postmaster General of Canada
In office December 29, 1921 – June 28, 1926
Prime Minister	W. L. Mackenzie King
Preceded by	Louis de Gonzague Belley
Succeeded by	Robert James Manion
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Russell
In office 1908–1925
Preceded by	Norman Frank Wilson
Succeeded by	Alfred Goulet
Senator for Russell, Ontario
In office September 5, 1925 – November 24, 1935
Nominated by	W. L. Mackenzie King
Appointed by	The Viscount Byng of Vimy
Personal details
Born	(1862-12-08)December 8, 1862 Ottawa, Canada West
Died	November 24, 1935(1935-11-24) (aged 72) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Political party	Liberal Party of Canada Laurier Liberal
Parents	James Murphy (father) Mary Conway (mother)
Occupation	Lawyer

Early life

He was born on 8 December 1862 in Ottawa, the son of James Murphy, who came to Ontario from Ireland,^[1] and Mary Conway.^[2] Murphy studied at Ottawa University and Osgoode Hall,^[1] was called to the Ontario bar in 1891 and practised law in Ottawa.^[2]

Politics

Murphy was elected as a Liberal MP for Russell (Ontario) in the House of Commons of Canada from 1908 to 1925.^[3]

He held several cabinet positions in the Laurier and King governments, including Secretary of State for External Affairs (1909–1911), Postmaster General (1921–1926) and acting Secretary of State of Canada (1925–1926).^[3]

He was later appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1925.

Later life and death

He died in office in Ottawa in 1935, at the age of 72.^[2]

There is a Charles Murphy fonds at Library and Archives Canada.^[4]

Electoral record

v t e 1908 Canadian federal election: Russell
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	Charles Murphy	3,616
	Conservative	John A. Gamble	2,470

v t e 1911 Canadian federal election: Russell
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	Charles Murphy	3,812
	Conservative	Joseph Ulric Vincent	2,836

v t e 1917 Canadian federal election: Russell
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Opposition (Laurier Liberals)	Charles Murphy	5,895
	Government (Unionist)	Duncan Cameron Merkley	3,768

v t e 1921 Canadian federal election: Russell
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	Charles Murphy	9,069
	Progressive	Marshall Rathwell	6,836

By-election: On Mr. Murphy being appointed Postmaster General, 19 January 1921
Party		Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	Charles Murphy	acclaimed

References

1. Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1921, EJ Chambers
2. Johnson, J.K. (1968). The Canadian Directory of Parliament 1867–1967. Public Archives of Canada.
3. Charles Murphy – Parliament of Canada biography
4. "Finding aid the Charles Murphy fonds, Library and Archives Canada" (PDF).