William Francis Murray

William Francis Murray (September 7, 1881 – September 21, 1918) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and the Postmaster of Boston.

William Francis Murray
William Francis Murray circa 1912[1]
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts
In office March 4, 1911 – September 28, 1914
Preceded by	John A. Keliher (9th) James Michael Curley (10th)
Succeeded by	Ernest W. Roberts (9th) Peter Francis Tague (10th)
Constituency	9th district (1911–13) 10th district (1913–14)
Massachusetts Executive Council
In office 1910–1911
Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office 1907–1908
City of Boston Common Council
In office 1904–1904
Personal details
Born	September 7, 1881 Boston, Massachusetts
Died	September 21, 1918 (aged 37) Boston, Massachusetts
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Harvard College Harvard Law School
Profession	Attorney
Military service
Years of service	1898
Rank	Corporal
Unit	United States Volunteer Signal Corps
Battles/wars	Spanish–American War

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Murray attended the public schools and the Boston Latin School. He was graduated from Harvard University in 1904 and from Harvard Law School in 1906. Practiced law in Boston. He served during the Spanish–American War as a corporal in the United States Volunteer Signal Corps. He served as member of Boston Common Council in 1904 and 1905. He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1907 and 1908. He served as member of the Governor's council in 1910.

Election to Congress

Murray was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-second and Sixty-third Congresses. He served as a Member of Congress from March 4, 1911, until September 28, 1914, when he resigned, having been appointed postmaster of Boston.

Postmaster of Boston

On June 19, 1914 President Wilson nominated Murray for the position of Postmaster of Boston.,[2] the Senate Confirmed the nomination on July 16, 1914.[3] Murray served as postmaster from October 1, 1914, until his death on September 21, 1918.

Death

In the Autumn of 1918 Murray contracted the Spanish flu[4] and died from pneumonia at Boston City Hospital at 11:40 on the night of September 21, 1918.[5]

Burial

Murray was interred in Holyhood Cemetery, the Chestnut Hill section of Brookline, Massachusetts.[6]

References

1. Who's who in State Politics, 1912, Boston, MA: Practical Politics, 1912, p. 24
2. "WM. F. Murray To Be Named For Postoffice Here: Charlestown Congressman's Name to Be Sent to Senate at Once by President Wilson, It Is Said", The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, MA, p. 1, June 19, 1914
3. "WM. F. Murray Is Confirmed", The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, MA, p. 1, July 22, 1914
4. Harvard Alumni Bulletin Vol XXL, Number 3., Boston, MA: The Harvard Bulletin, Inc., October 10, 1918, p. 70.
5. "Postmaster Murray Dies of Pneumonia: Boston Loses Beloved Citizen and Nation a Faithful Official", The Boston Daily Globe, Boston, MA, p. 1, September 22, 1918
6. "Final Tribute To Postmaster Murray", The Boston Daily Globe, Boston, MA, p. 12, September 25, 1918

Bibliography

• Who's who in State Politics, 1912 Practical Politics (1912) p. 24.

• United States Congress. "William Francis Murray (id: M001117)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.