Noel Murphy (politician)
Encyclopedia
Noel Francis Murphy was a physician, broadcaster and politician.
Murphy was educated at St. Bonaventure College
in St. John's
and at Ampleforth College
in England. He studied electrical engineering for six months at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
before deciding to change fields. He moved to Britain and earned his medical degree in 1942 from London Hospital. He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and was assigned to 125 (Newfoundland) Squadron serving as its medical officer until 1945 and reaching the rank of flight-lieutenant surgeon.
Dr. Murphy left the hospital in 1954 in order to take up private practice in Corner Brook
specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
and won the seat of Humber East
in the 1962 provincial election
. In 1966 he became party leader and Leader of the Opposition
leading the Tories into the 1966 general election
. The party lost four of its seven seats and Murphy was defeated in Humber East
by Liberal Clyde Wells
, a future premier.
Murphy was elected mayor of Corner Brook for three terms and was unexpectedly appointed minister without portfolio
in 1971 in the final cabinet of Liberal Premier Joey Smallwood
however he lost the riding of Humber West
in the subsequent 1971 provincial election
to Conservative leader Frank Moores
who would succeed Smallwood as Premier.
In 1978, Murphy was again elected mayor of Corner Brook.
Early life
Murphy was born in England while his parents, Dr. John J. and Elsie (Kenway) Murphy were posted to London. John Murphy co-founded St. Clare's Mercy Hospital and died while Noel was a child. Murphy's great grandfather was the captain of a steam sailing ship while his grandfather, "Gambo Jack" Murphy founded St. John's radio station VONF in 1932.Murphy was educated at St. Bonaventure College
St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure University is a private, Franciscan Catholic university, located in Allegany, Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. It has roughly 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students....
in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
and at Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, England, is the largest Roman Catholic co-educational boarding independent school in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1802, as a boys' school, and is run by the Benedictine monks and lay staff of Ampleforth Abbey...
in England. He studied electrical engineering for six months at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
before deciding to change fields. He moved to Britain and earned his medical degree in 1942 from London Hospital. He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and was assigned to 125 (Newfoundland) Squadron serving as its medical officer until 1945 and reaching the rank of flight-lieutenant surgeon.
Return to Newfoundland
In 1945, he returned to Newfoundland to run a Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital in Norris Point on the western coast of Newfoundland. He was the only doctor on staff and handled all medical duties at the remote hospital for ten years. To reach remote communities in the hospital's catchment area during the winter, Dr. Murphy travelled by horse and sleigh or dog team before the federal government provided him with a snowmobile. In the summer, he performed his rounds via aircraft and boat.Dr. Murphy left the hospital in 1954 in order to take up private practice in Corner Brook
Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
Corner Brook is a city located on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada....
specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
Broadcasting
In 1959, Murphy helped found the Humber Valley Broadcasting Company becoming the new corporation's president. The company opened a radio station in Corner Brook in 1960 and had 10 stations by 1975. Murphy hosted a Christmas morning show for 47 years on the stations in which he phoned Newfoundlanders abroad and contacted communities named Newfoundland.Political career
He entered politics on behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and LabradorProgressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
For pre-1949 Conservative parties see Conservative parties in Newfoundland The Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is a centre-right provincial political party in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Originally founded in 1949 the party has formed the Government of...
and won the seat of Humber East
Humber East
Humber East is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Includes the eastern section of Corner Brook as well as Humber Village, Little Rapids, Massey Drive, Pasadena and Steady Brook. There is a mix of urban and rural areas...
in the 1962 provincial election
Newfoundland general election, 1962
The 34th Newfoundland general election was held on 19 November 1962 to elect members of the 33rd General Assembly of Newfoundland, the fifth general election for the province of Newfoundland, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party.-Results:...
. In 1966 he became party leader and Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Newfoundland and Labrador)
The Leader of the Opposition in Newfoundland and Labrador is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.This list is incomplete...
leading the Tories into the 1966 general election
Newfoundland general election, 1966
The 35th Newfoundland general election was held on 8 September 1966 to elect members of the 34th General Assembly of Newfoundland, the sixth general election for the province of Newfoundland, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party.-Results:...
. The party lost four of its seven seats and Murphy was defeated in Humber East
Humber East
Humber East is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Includes the eastern section of Corner Brook as well as Humber Village, Little Rapids, Massey Drive, Pasadena and Steady Brook. There is a mix of urban and rural areas...
by Liberal Clyde Wells
Clyde Wells
Clyde Kirby Wells, QC was the fifth Premier of Newfoundland and was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1999 to March 2009...
, a future premier.
Murphy was elected mayor of Corner Brook for three terms and was unexpectedly appointed minister without portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
in 1971 in the final cabinet of Liberal Premier Joey Smallwood
Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland . As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and...
however he lost the riding of Humber West
Humber West
Humber West is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2011, there are 8,403 eligible voters living within the district....
in the subsequent 1971 provincial election
Newfoundland general election, 1971
The 36th Newfoundland general election was held on 28 October 1971 to elect members of the 35th General Assembly of Newfoundland, the seventh general election for the province of Newfoundland, Canada...
to Conservative leader Frank Moores
Frank Moores
Frank Duff Moores served as the 2nd Premier of Newfoundland. He served as leader of the Progressive Conservatives from 1972 until his retirement in 1979.-Early life:...
who would succeed Smallwood as Premier.
In 1978, Murphy was again elected mayor of Corner Brook.