John W. Murphy (January 16, 1878 – December 9, 1963), a Democrat, was Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, elected to seven consecutive terms between 1932 and 1945.
Murphy formed a coalition of business, union and civic leaders, including leading Democrats and Republicans, to stabilize the city's finances.
Murphy refinanced the city's debt, thereby allowing the provision of food, shelter and material support for more than 60,000 underemployed citizens representing 40% of the total population.
Murphy's civic coalition anticipated the election of Roosevelt and the advent of the New Deal, which brought federal support starting in 1933.
Mary Ellen, a teacher in New Haven public schools, continued her father's work as a social activist and Democratic Party leader until her death in 2016.