Grayson M.-P. Murphy

Grayson Mallet-Prevost Murphy Sr. (December 19, 1878 – October 18, 1937) was an American military officer, banker and company director.

Early life Murphy was born on December 19, 1878, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Howard and Anita Mallet-Prevost Murphy. He attended Haverford College where he was a member of the class of 1900. While there, he served on the board of The Haverfordian, the school's literary magazine. He also authored the sophomore play for his class, a play in three acts set, respectively, in Pluto's court, Hades and by the River Styx; he played the role of Venus.

Early military career After two years at Haverford, Murphy left "at the first call for troops" after the Spanish-American War broke out; on April 28, 1898, he enlisted as a private in Company "D", First Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. By Special Order 129 of the Adjutant General's Office, at the request of the Governor of Pennsylvania, he accepted a commission on the staff of Brigadier General Morrell of the National Guard of Pennsylvania.

Murphy graduated from West Point on June 11, 1903, 22nd our of a class of 94. He accepted the assignment on one condition: "that when certain foundations had been laid and certain work accomplished, he should be free to return to the army," namely to active service. In addition to operations in France, Murphy also oversaw Red Cross efforts in England, Serbia and Italy. The New York Times recounted in Murphy's obituary: "the plot was immediately shown to have been non-existent, at least so far as it involved any of the prominent persons named in it. Colonel Murphy was not accused of having anything to do with the alleged plot, but since one of the persons named as a conspirator was Gerald P. MacGuire, a bond salesman in his firm, he issued a complete denial and branded the plot report as a fantasy." His funeral was held at St. James' Episcopal Church on October 20.