Arthur Murphy
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Arthur Murphy (December 27, 1727 - June 18, 1805), was an Irish writer, known by the pseudonym, Charles Ranger.
He was born at Clooniquin, County Roscommon, Ireland, the son of Richard Murphy and Jane French. A barrister, journalist, actor, and playwright, he edited Gray's Inn Journal between 1752 and 1754. As Henry Thrale's oldest and dearest friend, it was he who introduced Samuel Johnson to the Thrales in January 1765. He was appointed Commissioner of Bankruptcy in 1803.
Murphy is best known for three biographies: his 1792 Essay on the Life and Genius of Samuel Johnson, his 1762 Fielding's Works and his 1801 Life of David Garrick. Thought to have coined the legal term "wilful misconstruction" whilst representing the Donaldson v. Becket appeal to the House of Lords in 1774 against the perpetual possession of copyright.
He died at Knightsbridge, London, and was buried at Hammersmith, London. A biography was written in 1811 by Dr. Jesse Foote. Nathaniel Dancer painted his portrait which is thought to now be in the Irish National Portrait Collection.
