White House Historical Association

Robert W. Murphy

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"Robert W. Murphy," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whitehouseworkers.org/Detail/workers/1049.
Position
Painter
Years in President's House
1948 – 1973
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
White
Presidencies
Harry S. Truman
Dwight D. Eisenhower
John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard M. Nixon
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
Burial Place
Unclear from Context
Blue markers indicate birthplaces and green markers indicate burial places. Black markers are used for places of both birth and burial.