William Murphy (Finding Aid)

William Murphy

1917 - 2003

Favorite Color: Grey

Favorite Food: Fish

Favorite Vacation Spot: Chicago; Martha's Vineyard

Interview Length: 157 minutes

Interview Date(s): February 24, 2001

Interview Location(s): Baltimore, Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland

Abstract

Judge William H. Murphy details his life in the early 20th century and his family's priveleged background during the Jim Crow era. He also details his grandfather, John H. Murphy Sr.'s efforts to start one of the first black newspapers in the country, the Afro American in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1892, the paper provided the Murphy family with a level of affluence and prominence. Judge William H. Murphy details his father's life running the Afro American Newspaper in Baltimore, Maryland Judge William Murphy details his college years at Oberlin College, where he encountered little racial hostility beyond his dean. Murphy was one of the first black students at the University of Maryland school of Law, after a seminal lawsuit, brought by Thurgood Marshall, integrated the program in 1938. Judge William H. Murphy describes his life as a lawyer and judge in MAryland during the 1940s and beyond. He reveals the importance of the prestige the family newspaper, the Afro American, had upon his career as a lawyer. Judge William Murphy shares several humorous anecdotes about his wife and family and also representing his brother in front of the House Un-American Actitivies Committee in the 1950s. Judge William Murphy opines on the state of the black community, American politics and his legacy.

49 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)