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For the Ottawa lawyer with the same name, see Will Murray.

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

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

Election to Congress

Murray challenged incumbent and fellow Democrat John A. Keliher in 1910. He defeated Keliher in both the primary and general. At age 29, Murray was the youngest member of the Sixty-second Congress. He was reelected to the Sixty-third Congress where he was a strong backer of Woodrow Wilson. He served as a member of Congress from March 4, 1911, until September 28, 1914, when he resigned, having been appointed postmaster of Boston [2].

Postmaster of Boston

On June 19, 1914, President Wilson nominated Murray for the position of Postmaster of Boston.[3] The Senate Confirmed the nomination on July 16, 1914.[4] 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[5] and died from pneumonia at Boston City Hospital at 11:40 on the night of September 21, 1918.[6]

Burial

Murray was interred in Holyhood Cemetery, the Chestnut Hill section of Brookline, Massachusetts.[7]

References

  1. ^ Who’s who in State Politics, 1912, Boston, MA: Practical Politics, 1912, p. 24
  2. ^ “Baby-faced Representative William F. Murray of Massachusetts”. Office of the Historian, House of Representatives. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  3. ^ “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
  4. ^ “WM. F. Murray Is Confirmed”, The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, MA, p. 1, July 22, 1914
  5. ^ Harvard Alumni Bulletin Vol XXL, Number 3., Boston, MA: The Harvard Bulletin, Inc., October 10, 1918, p. 70
  6. ^ “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
  7. ^ “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.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Federal government of the United States.