Francis Murphy

Sir Francis Murphy (1809 – 30 March 1891) was an Australian politician, first Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.

Life Murphy was the son of Francis D. Murphy, who was for upwards of thirty years head of the South of Ireland Transport of Convicts Department. Francis was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1809, and after being educated in his native city, entered at Trinity College, Dublin, as a medical student, ultimately being admitted M.R.C.S. of London. district at the first election which took place after the separation of Victoria from New South Wales. He was for some time Chairman of Committees, and in 1852 he sold his pastoral property and went to reside permanently in Melbourne. In 1853 he was re-elected for the Murray, and resigned the chairmanship of committees to become President of the Central Road Board, which latter position he relinquished in November 1856. He was acting Speaker in the council during the absence, on account of illness, of Dr. (later Sir) James Frederick Palmer in March 1855.

Murphy resigned his seat in council in 1876, and resided for some time in England. He died on 30 March 1891, at his residence, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, and was buried in Boroondara cemetery.

Family In 1840 Murphy married the daughter of Lieutenant-Doctor Reid, R.N., a settler in his neighbourhood. He left six daughters and three sons, one of whom, Frank Reid Murphy, was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.