Charles J. V. Murphy facts for kids

Charles J.V. Murphy (October 11, 1904 – December 29, 1987) was an American writer and journalist. He is most famous for being the ghostwriter for a king's life story. A ghostwriter is someone who writes a book for another person, but that other person's name goes on the cover.

Murphy helped the former King of England, Edward VIII, write his best-selling book, A King's Story. The book explained why the king decided to abdicate, or give up his throne, to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson. For his work during his life, Murphy received several important awards.

Early Life and Schooling

Charles J.V. Murphy was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on October 11, 1904. His father was an artist. Charles was a very good student and started at Harvard College when he was only 16 years old.

However, he was so excited to become a journalist that he left college after two years to start his career. Even while he was at Harvard, he was already working for a newspaper called the Boston American.

A Career in Writing

Murphy had a long and exciting career as a writer, working on everything from newspaper articles to books about adventure.

Starting as a Reporter

In 1925, Murphy moved to New York City to work for big news companies like the Associated Press and United Press. Early in his career, he was fired from a job for making up details in a story. Even though the story wasn't completely true, it became very famous around the world.

After this, Murphy was hired by other newspapers like the New York Post and the New York World. He wrote exciting articles, including stories about the first flights across the Atlantic Ocean.

Adventures in Antarctica

For a few years, Murphy worked as a freelance journalist, which means he wrote for different companies instead of just one. During this time, he helped the famous explorer Richard E. Byrd write a book called Little America (1930).

Murphy and Byrd became very close friends. In fact, Byrd was the best man at Murphy's wedding. Murphy and his wife, Jane, had four children together.

Murphy's adventures with Byrd didn't stop with the book. He joined the explorer on his second trip to Antarctica! From the freezing cold continent, Murphy sent radio broadcasts back to America for the Columbia Broadcasting Company, telling everyone about their discoveries. His stories helped make Byrd a hero in America. Murphy also helped Byrd write two more books, Discovery (1935) and Alone (1938).

Writing for Famous Magazines

In 1935, Murphy started a long career working for some of the most famous magazines in America. He wrote for Time, Life, and Fortune. For Fortune magazine, he wrote important articles about the military and national defense.

During World War II, in 1941, Murphy was on a ship that was sunk by the German military. He survived and wrote a thrilling story about the attack and his rescue for Life magazine.

A Famous Story and an Award

In 1961, Murphy wrote an article that criticized the U.S. military's role in the Bay of Pigs, a failed mission in Cuba. The story was said to have made President John F. Kennedy unhappy.

However, the article was seen as excellent reporting. It won a major award from the Overseas Press Club for being the best story from another country that year.

Helping the Military

Besides being a journalist, Murphy also served his country. He was a colonel in the Air Force Reserve during the 1950s and 1960s. He was an important advisor to the Air Force.

He helped with public relations, which is about how an organization communicates with the public. He also worked as an advisor and speechwriter for leaders in NATO. NATO is a group of countries that agree to protect each other. In 1957, he even helped write the first plan to defend Europe in case of a major war.

Later Life

Charles J.V. Murphy died on December 29, 1987, at the age of 83. He passed away from lung cancer at his home in Grafton, Vermont. Even at the end of his life, he was still writing and was working on a new book.