Murphy, Richard J. (Richard James), 1929-2006

Richard J. Murphy, Assistant Postmaster General, Democratic National Committee leader, and corporate executive, was born in 1929 in Baltimore, Md. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1951. In 1952, he was elected national president of the National Student Association. Murphy was Assistant Postmaster General of the United States, 1961-1969, encouraging the hiring and promotion of minorities and testifying in defense of desegregation at a 1963 reverse discrimination investigation in Dallas, Tex. Upon retirement, he became assistant to the chair of the Democratic National Committee, Lawrence F. O'Brien. He attended every Democratic National Convention from 1952 to 2000, supervising security committees at seven conventions. He was general director of the 1972 convention. In 1970, Murphy co-edited a book about labor relations with public employees. During his career, he also was vice president of Time Warner Cable and director of government affairs for Unisys Corporation. Murphy died in 2006.

From the description of Richard J. Murphy papers, 1933-2002. WorldCat record id: 74813349

Richard J. Murphy was born in 1929 in Baltimore, Md. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina in 1951. While at UNC, Murphy was a member of the Golden Fleece and president of the North Carolina State Student Legislature. In 1952, he was elected national president of the National Student Association.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Murphy to the position of Assistant Postmaster General of the United States, a position he held until 1969. During his tenure, he encouraged the hiring and promotion of minorities. In 1963, he testified in defense of desegregation at a reverse discrimination investigation in Dallas, Tex. Upon retirement, Murphy became assistant to the chair of the Democratic National Committee, Lawrence F. O'Brien. In 1972, his office at the Watergate complex was broken into in what is regarded as the first Watergate break-in. Murphy attended every political Democratic National Convention from 1952 to 2000 and supervised the security at seven conventions. He also served as general director of the 1972 convention and was a member of six site-selection committees.

In 1970, Murphy co-edited The Crisis in Public Employee Relations, about labor relations with public employees. During his career, he was also vice president of Time Warner Cable and director of government affairs for Unisys Corporation.

Murphy died in 2006 at the age of 76 in Bethesda, Md.

From the guide to the Richard J. Murphy Papers, 1933-2002, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)