Murphy, Arthur (1727–1805)

Irish playwright, lawyer, and writer, born in Clomquin, County Roscommon. Murphy turned to the stage to pay off his debts, writing and producing his first successful farce, The Upholsterer, in 1758. His later writings include a translation of Tacitus (1793), and two poorly received biographical works, ‘Essay on Johnson’ (1792), and Life of David Garrick (1801).

Murphy was educated at St Omer, France, and worked as a clerk in Cork and then London 1747–51. In 1757 he entered Lincoln's Inn, and in 1762 became a barrister. Throughout his legal career he maintained his theatrical and literary interests, publishing the weekly Gray's Inn Journal (1752–74), through which he made the acquaintance of Samuel Johnson, and writing farces and adaptations for the stage.