About Frank Murphy
Lived 1893 – 1949 (aged 55). Frank Murphy was an Australian civil servant.
James Francis Murphy (12 March 189318 January 1949) was a senior Australian public servant, best known for his role as Secretary of the Department of Commerce (later Department of Commerce and Agriculture) in the 1930s and 1940s.
Life and career Frank Murphy was born in Carlton, Melbourne on 12 March 1893. In 1910, he joined the Commonwealth Public Service in the Department of External Affairs.
From December 1934 when he was appointed to the position, until December 1942 when the Department was abolished, Murphy was Secretary of the Department of Commerce. He was then appointed Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Agriculture, between 1942 and 1945.
Between 1941 and 1943, Murphy was also Secretary of the Department of Transport. In the role he did not participate in the detailed work of the department as his focus was on the commerce department.
Murphy died on 18 January 1949 in Balwyn, Melbourne.
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Important facts
People in Frank Murphy's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Frank Murphy?
Australian public servant
When was Frank Murphy born?
Frank Murphy was born on 12 March 1893.
When did Frank Murphy die?
Frank Murphy died on 18 January 1949.
What was Frank Murphy's occupation?
Frank Murphy was a civil servant.
What nationality was Frank Murphy?
Frank Murphy was Australian.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Frank Murphy (public servant)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Frank Murphy. https://biography.guide/frank-murphy-civil-servant/
MLA: "Frank Murphy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/frank-murphy-civil-servant/.
Chicago: "Frank Murphy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/frank-murphy-civil-servant/.
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