William Dennistoun Murphy

William Dennistoun Murphy Jr. (January 4, 1859 – August 23, 1935) He was the son of William Dennistoun Murphy (1796–1877) and Ann Letitia (née Goodlieff) Murphy (1813–1885). Beginning in 1918, he served two terms as the Society's 47th President, succeeding former New York County District Attorney De Lancey Nicoll.

Personal life In January 1883, Murphy was married to Rosalie Hart (1858–1947) in Philadelphia. Together, they William and Rosalie lived at 40 East 49th Street and were the parents of two children, only one of whom survived to adulthood:

Rosalie Louise Murphy (1883–1885), who died in infancy. William Deacon Murphy (b. 1887), who attended Columbia Law School and became a lawyer.

Murphy traveled extensively throughout America and Europe and was known for his after dinner speaking as well as his lectures on art and photographic topics. He was a member of the New-York Historical Society, The Union League Club, and was an amateur photographer, being a member of the Camera Club (serving as president of the Club for five years), After a service at the Church of Heavenly Rest in Manhattan, he was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.