Thos. D. (Thomas Dowler) Murphy

Born in Jasper County, Iowa, on July 10, 1866, Thomas Dowler Murphy grew up on the family homestead and studied at Simpson College, graduating in 1888. After college he went into newspaper work in Red Oak, Iowa, where he became part of the local publishing world.

Murphy later became known as an art publisher and author. The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa describes him as both an art publisher and an author, and records that his company acquired numerous Thomas Moran copyrights. That connection helps explain the richly illustrated feel of several of his books.

Today he is best remembered for travel books from the early automobile age, including British Highways and Byways from a Motor Car, In Unfamiliar England, On Old-World Highways, On Sunset Highways, and Oregon, the Picturesque. He died in Red Oak, Iowa, on September 15, 1928.