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Henry Morgan Murphy (1816–1891)

Mr Henry Morgan Murphy, an old colonist, and a former member of the Legislative Council, died suddenly at his residence, Osborne street, South Yarra, on Thursday evening soon after 6 o'clock. Mr Murphy occupied a suite of apartments in a large house, the rest of which is tenanted by Mr. Tennyson Cole, artist. On Thursday afternoon at 5 o'clock Mrs Cole went to Mr Murphy’s sittingroom and found him looking exceeding unwell. She asked him if she could do anything for him and he, with difficulty, answered he that was very ill. Mrs Cole send for Dr Lempriere, who arrived within a very few moments. When he came he found Mr Murphy in so low a state that he could not be rallied and he sank and died before half-past 6 o’clock. His death was reported to the district coroner, Mr Candler, who directed that a post-mortem examination should be made. Mr Cander’s directions were attended to, and the examination revealed that apoplexy was the cause of death. In the face of this an inquest was considered unnecessary.

Though Mr Murphy was 70 years of age he was so robust that the suddenness of his death shocked all his friends. It is not known what induced the attack of apoplexy, but as Mr Murphy was a particularly passionate man and as he was observed by members of Mr Cole’s household to be in an unusually disturbed state of mind during the day it is possible that something upset him, and rousing his passionate nature brought on the attack. Mr Murphy leaves a widow, who is at present residing in Tasmania, and several sons and daughters. One of the sons recently went to England to introduce to the authorities at the War Office a torpedo he had invented. One of Mr Murphy’s brothers, Mr J. R. Murphy, who is over 80 years of age and resides on the St Kilda road, is lying seriously ill at his residence. For 38 years the deceased gentleman resided at South Yarra, and for 11 years he represented the North Eastern Province in the Legislative Council. About 15 years ago he retired from political and public life, and ever since he has lived a most secluded existence drawing all his pleasures from books and magazines.

Original publication

Citation details

'Murphy, Henry Morgan (1816–1891)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/murphy-henry-morgan-17065/text28913, accessed 30 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1816
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Death

2 July, 1891 (aged ~ 75)
South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

stroke

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Occupation