author
Arthur Murphy
1727–1805
A lively figure in 18th-century London literary life, this Irish-born writer moved easily between the stage, journalism, and the law. He is best remembered for popular comedies and for biographies that captured some of the era’s major literary personalities.
2 Audiobooks
The Grecian Daughter
by Arthur Murphy
The Englishman from Paris
by Arthur Murphy
About the author
Born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1727, he built a varied career as a playwright, actor, journalist, translator, and later a barrister. After a Catholic education in France and time in mercantile work, he settled in London and began making his name in print and in the theatre.
He became one of the better-known comic dramatists of his day, with plays such as The Way to Keep Him and All in the Wrong helping establish his reputation. He also wrote under the pseudonym Charles Ranger, translated Tacitus, and contributed to periodical writing, showing a knack for moving between serious literary work and popular entertainment.
Later in life, he turned more fully toward legal practice, but writing remained central to his legacy. He is also remembered for biographical works on Henry Fielding, Samuel Johnson, and David Garrick, which helped preserve the world of 18th-century letters for later readers.