Robert W. Murphy
Cite this Page
"Robert W. Murphy," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/1049.
- Position
- Painter
- Years in President's House
- 1948 – 1973
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Robert Wilson Murphy was born on October 9, 1916, in Bryantown, Maryland. (1) He worked in construction as a painter prior to serving in Europe with the U.S. Army during World War II. (2) In 1948, Murphy joined Harry S. Truman’s White House staff as a painter. (3) He remained on staff for decades, eventually becoming foreman painter. He also restored historic furniture for the White House as part of his duties. Murphy retired in 1973 after twenty-five years of service. (4) Robert W. Murphy died on August 25, 1994. (5)
- (1) Robert Wilson Murphy, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Maryland, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 374.
(2) Robert W Murphy, 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00559; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 1-194, Ancestry.com; Robert W Murphy, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2020, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs; United States; U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs Birls Death File, 1850-2022; URL: https://www.va.gov.
(3) White House Office of the Curator, e-mail message to author, March 16, 2026.
(4) U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations (Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations) Vol. 1 (1974), pg. 47-48; Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Personal Papers. Textual Materials. Letitia Baldrige Files. Christmas: 1961 (2 of 2 folders). JBKOPP-SF037-009. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum; “Robert W. Murphy,” Washington Post, August 27, 1994, pg. C06.
(5) “Robert W. Murphy,” Washington Post, August 27, 1994, pg. C06. - Birthplace
- Bryantown, Maryland, USA