William Beverly Murphy
Encyclopedia
William Beverly Murphy was a U.S. food businessman. He was the president
and CEO of Campbell Soup Company
between 1953 and 1972. From 1942 to 1945 he was on leave from Campbell's Soup to the War Production Board
. Prior to joining Campbell's Soup he was at the A.C. Nielsen Company (1928–1938) where he is credited with conceiving the idea for the Nielsen Food Index and Nielsen Drug Index Services. Mr Murphy was also a life member emeritus of the MIT Corporation (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
).
Mr Murphy was born in Appleton, Wisconsin
and received a Bachelor's of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin
in 1928. He subsequently joined the A.C. Nielsen Company of Chicago and rose to the position of executive vice president. He joined Campbell Soup in 1938 as Assistant to General Manager. Mr Murphy was elected executive vice president of Campbell Soup in 1949 and was president and CEO from 1953 to 1972. Mr Murphy died May 29, 1994 at the age of 86 of pneumonia in a convalescent home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
.
While at Campbell's Soup Company he took the corporation public and increased its brand portfolio to include Pepperidge Farm
breads, cookies, and crackers, Franco-American
gravies and pastas, V8 juice
(vegetable), Swanson broths, and Godiva (chocolatier)
.
Mr Murphy was a special term member of the MIT Corporation from 1961–65 and a life member from 1965–82. He served on several MIT standing committees, including the Auditing Committee (1984–86), the Executive Committee (1966–72 and 1976–82), and the Membership Committee (1964–67). He was a member of the visiting committees for the Department of Applied Biological Sciences (1985–88), the Department of Nutrition and Food Science (1980–85 and 1974–80 as chairman), the MIT Sloan School of Management
(1972–76 and 1965–66, and 1964–65 as chairman), and the School of Industrial Management (1961–63, 1963–64 as chairman and 1959–61 as a presidential nominee).
In 1980, former president and chairman of the MIT Corporation Paul Gray presented Mr. Murphy with the Henry Laurence Gantt Memorial Medal. It is awarded jointly by the American Management Associations and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for "distinguished achievement in management as a service to the community."
In addition to serving on several government advisory panels, Mr. Murphy was a director of companies including AT&T
, Merck & Co.
, Inc., and International Paper
. He also served as national chairman of Radio Free Europe
in 1960–61 and as chairman of the board of trustees of the Nutrition Foundation in 1964–65.
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and CEO of Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company , also known as Campbell's, is an American producer of canned soups and related products. Campbell's products are sold in 120 countries around the world. It is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey...
between 1953 and 1972. From 1942 to 1945 he was on leave from Campbell's Soup to the War Production Board
War Production Board
The War Production Board was established as a government agency on January 16, 1942 by executive order of Franklin D. Roosevelt.The purpose of the board was to regulate the production and allocation of materials and fuel during World War II in the United States...
. Prior to joining Campbell's Soup he was at the A.C. Nielsen Company (1928–1938) where he is credited with conceiving the idea for the Nielsen Food Index and Nielsen Drug Index Services. Mr Murphy was also a life member emeritus of the MIT Corporation (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...
).
Mr Murphy was born in Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is situated on the Fox River, 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County. The population was 78,086 at the 2010 census...
and received a Bachelor's of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1928. He subsequently joined the A.C. Nielsen Company of Chicago and rose to the position of executive vice president. He joined Campbell Soup in 1938 as Assistant to General Manager. Mr Murphy was elected executive vice president of Campbell Soup in 1949 and was president and CEO from 1953 to 1972. Mr Murphy died May 29, 1994 at the age of 86 of pneumonia in a convalescent home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr from Welsh for "big hill") is a census-designated place in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia along Lancaster Avenue and the border with Delaware County...
.
While at Campbell's Soup Company he took the corporation public and increased its brand portfolio to include Pepperidge Farm
Pepperidge Farm
Pepperidge Farm is a commercial bakery in the U.S. founded in 1937 by Margaret Rudkin, who named the brand after her family's property in Fairfield, Connecticut, which in turn was named for the pepperidge tree, Nyssa sylvatica. Since 1961, the company has been owned by the Campbell Soup Company...
breads, cookies, and crackers, Franco-American
Franco-American
Franco-American is a brand name of the Campbell Soup Company.The original Franco-American Food Company was founded by Alphonse Biardot, who immigrated to the United States from France in 1880. In 1886, he and his two sons opened a commercial kitchen in Jersey City, New Jersey, featuring the foods...
gravies and pastas, V8 juice
V8 (beverage)
V8 Vegetable Juice is a trademark name for beverage products sold worldwide and made from either seven vegetables plus tomatoes or a mixture of vegetables, tomatoes, and other fruits...
(vegetable), Swanson broths, and Godiva (chocolatier)
Godiva (chocolatier)
Godiva Chocolatier is a manufacturer of premium chocolates and related products. Godiva, founded in Belgium in 1926, was purchased by Turkish Yıldız Holding, owner of the Ülker Group, on Nov 20th, 2007...
.
Mr Murphy was a special term member of the MIT Corporation from 1961–65 and a life member from 1965–82. He served on several MIT standing committees, including the Auditing Committee (1984–86), the Executive Committee (1966–72 and 1976–82), and the Membership Committee (1964–67). He was a member of the visiting committees for the Department of Applied Biological Sciences (1985–88), the Department of Nutrition and Food Science (1980–85 and 1974–80 as chairman), the MIT Sloan School of Management
MIT Sloan School of Management
The MIT Sloan School of Management is the business school of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
(1972–76 and 1965–66, and 1964–65 as chairman), and the School of Industrial Management (1961–63, 1963–64 as chairman and 1959–61 as a presidential nominee).
In 1980, former president and chairman of the MIT Corporation Paul Gray presented Mr. Murphy with the Henry Laurence Gantt Memorial Medal. It is awarded jointly by the American Management Associations and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for "distinguished achievement in management as a service to the community."
In addition to serving on several government advisory panels, Mr. Murphy was a director of companies including AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
, Merck & Co.
Merck & Co.
Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
, Inc., and International Paper
International Paper
International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
. He also served as national chairman of Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
in 1960–61 and as chairman of the board of trustees of the Nutrition Foundation in 1964–65.
Employment
- A.C. Nielsen Company (ACNielsenACNielsenACNielsen is a global marketing research firm, with worldwide headquarters in New York City. Regional headquarters for North America are located in Schaumburg, Illinois. As of May 2010, it is part of The Nielsen Company.-History:...
), Chicago, Illinois, 1928–1938- Executive Vice President, 1935–1938
- Campbell Soup CompanyCampbell Soup CompanyCampbell Soup Company , also known as Campbell's, is an American producer of canned soups and related products. Campbell's products are sold in 120 countries around the world. It is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey...
, Camden, New Jersey, 1938–1980- Assistant to General Manager, 1938–1941
- On leave to War Production Board, 1942–1945
- Executive Assistant to President, 1946–1948
- Executive Vice President, 1949–1953
- President and Chief Executive Officer, March 1953 – June 1972
- Director, 1950–1980
- War Production BoardWar Production BoardThe War Production Board was established as a government agency on January 16, 1942 by executive order of Franklin D. Roosevelt.The purpose of the board was to regulate the production and allocation of materials and fuel during World War II in the United States...
, 1942–1945- Director, Facilities Division
Education
- Grade School — First Ward School, Appleton, Wisconsin, 1913–1920
- High School — Appleton West High SchoolAppleton West High SchoolAppleton West High School is a high school located at 610 North Badger Avenue in Appleton, Wisconsin. It is a member of the Appleton Area School District....
, 1920–1924 - College — University of WisconsinUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonThe University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, 1924–1928- B.S. in Chemical Engineering
- Tau Beta PiTau Beta PiThe Tau Beta Pi Association is the oldest engineering honor society in the United States and the second oldest collegiate honor society in America. It honors engineering students who have shown a history of academic achievement as well as a commitment to personal and professional integrity...
(honorary scholastic engineering society) - Iron Cross (honorary senior activities society)
- Delta UpsilonDelta UpsilonDelta Upsilon is the sixth oldest international, all-male, college Greek-letter organization, and is the oldest non-secret fraternity in North America...
(social fraternity) - "W" Club (Major letter winner in track)
Directorships
- American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T), 1961–1978
- Merck & Co.Merck & Co.Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
, Inc., 1959–1980 - International PaperInternational PaperInternational Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
, 1969–1980
Charitable and civic activities
- Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationWisconsin Alumni Research FoundationThe Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is the nonprofit technology transfer office of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It is a significant source of research support, independent of federal grants...
- Trustee, 1958–?
- President, 1982–1986
- Bryn Mawr Presbyterian ChurchBryn Mawr Presbyterian ChurchBryn Mawr Presbyterian Church is a church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and is part of the PCUSA denomination. BMPC is one of the 20 largest churches in the denomination with over 3000 members....
- Trustee, 1959–1961
- Elder, 1964–1966
- Advance Gifts Chairman, Every member Canvass, 1963–1964
- Co-Chairman, Expanding Minitries and Building Fund Drive, 1964–1965
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyThe 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...
- Life Member, 1961–1982
- Executive Committee, 1966–1972; 1976–1984
- Chairman, Visiting Committee for School of Nutrition and Food Science, 1975–1976
- Vice Chairman, Development Committee, 1976–1981
- Academy of Natural SciencesAcademy of Natural SciencesThe Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, formerly Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, is the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the New World...
- Trustee, 1968–1976
- Honorary Trustee, 1976–?
- Chairman, Executive Committee, 1974–1976
- Chairman, Search Committee, 1975–1976
- Philadelphia Museum of ArtPhiladelphia Museum of ArtThe Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States. It is located at the west end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The Museum was established in 1876 in conjunction with the Centennial Exposition of the same year...
- Trustee, 1972–?
- Chairman, Capital Development Drive, 1971–1974
- First United Fund Campaign of Camden
- Chairman, 1958
- Greater Camden Movement
- Co-Chairman, 1968–1971
- Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, Blue Hill, Maine
- Member, Investment Committee, 1980–?
- Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture
- President, 1985–1986
- Greater Philadelphia Movement
- Chairman, Committee on Public School Education, 1973–1975
- Greater Philadelphia Partnership, 1976–?
- Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, Board of Directors, 1977
Honorary degrees and awards
- U.S. Presidential Medal for MeritPresidential Medal for MeritThe Medal for Merit was, during the period it was awarded, the highest civilian decoration of the United States, awarded by the President of the United States to civilians for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services ... since the proclamation of an emergency by...
by President Harry S. TrumanHarry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
on recommendation of the Secretary of the Air Force, 1946 - Lawrence UniversityLawrence UniversityLawrence University is a selective, private liberal arts college with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Lawrence University is known for its rigorous academic environment. Founded in 1847, the first classes were held on November 12, 1849...
, LLD, 1954 - Widener College (Widener UniversityWidener UniversityWidener University is a private, coeducational university located in Chester, Pennsylvania.Its main campus sits on 108 acres , just southwest of Philadelphia...
), LLD, 1960 - University of WisconsinUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonThe University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, LLD, 1963 - St. Joseph's College, LLD 1965
- Ursinus CollegeUrsinus CollegeUrsinus College is a liberal arts college in Collegeville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.-History:1867Members of the German Reformed Church begin plans to establish a college where "young men could be liberally educated under the benign influence of Christianity." These founders were hoping to...
, Sc.D., 1970 - Drexel UniversityDrexel UniversityDrexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
, Sc.D., 1970 - Rutgers UniversityRutgers UniversityRutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
, LHD, 1973 - Fellow — American Association for the Advancement of ScienceAmerican Association for the Advancement of ScienceThe American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
, 1963 - Poor Richard Club Gold Medalist, 1966
- Herbert Hoover Award of National-American Wholesalers Grocers Association, 1966
- Pennsylvania Society Annual Award, 1967
- Supermarket Institute — William H. Albers Award, 1967
- Business Week Citizens Award, 1971
- Distinguished Service Citation College of Engineering, University of WisconsinUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonThe University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, 1957
National organizations
- Business Council, 1960–?
- Chairman, 1965–1966
- Nutrition Foundation, 1953–1972
- Chairman, 1963–1964
- Chairman, Committee on Program and Staffing, 1970–1971
- Business RoundtableBusiness RoundtableThe Business Roundtable is a politically conservative group of chief executive officers of major U.S. corporations formed to promote pro-business public policy.-History:...
, 1971–1973- Organized, 1971
- Chairman, 1971–1973
- United Nations UniversityUnited Nations UniversityThe United Nations University is an academic arm of the United Nations established in 1973, which serves purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The UNU undertakes research into the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of...
, American Council, 1975–1976
Other activities
- Radio Free EuropeRadio Free EuropeRadio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
Fund, Chairman, 1960–1961 - Mexican-American Panel on Rural Development — panelist, 1965, sponsored by the National University of Mexico and The Advertising Council (Ad CouncilAd CouncilThe Advertising Council, commonly known as the Ad Council, is an American non-profit organization that distributes public service announcements on behalf of various sponsors, including non-profit organizations and agencies of the United States government....
) - National Advisory Commission on Rural Areas Development, 1966
- Colloque Franco-American Delegate, 1966–1967
- President's Advisory Committee on Labor-Management Policy, 1966–1968
- National Advisory Commission on Food and Fiber, 1966–1968
- President's Commission on Postal Organization, 1967–1968
- White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health, Chairman, Panel on Traditional Food, 1969
- President's Public Advisory Committee on Trade Policy, 1968–1969
- Member United Nations AssociationUnited Nations AssociationThe United Nations Associations are non-governmental organizations that exist in various countries to enhance the relationship between the people of a member state and the United Nations, raise public awareness of the UN and its work, promote the general goals of the UN and act as an advisory body...
(UNA) — USA National Policy Panel on World Population, 1969 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Hazardous Materials Advisory Committee, 1971–1972
- Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship FoundationWoodrow Wilson National Fellowship FoundationThe Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation is a private non-profit foundation based in Princeton, New Jersey. It administers programs that support leadership development and build organizational capacity in education. Its current signature program is the...
, 1973–1974 - National Science FoundationNational Science FoundationThe National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
— Northeast Region, Member, Planning Committee, 1978
Family
- Parents-Stephen Waite and Hilma Anderson Murphy
- Wife-Helen Huston Brennan
- Children-Robert Blair Murphy, Ann M. Zabel, John H. Murphy, Eric S. Murphy