William Emmett Murphy (12 May 1841 – 26 February 1921) was an Australian trade unionist and aspiring politician.
He was educated at the Christian Brothers' College and originally intended to enter the priesthood.
[1] He finished his apprenticeship and helped to found the Liverpool Cabinetmakers' and Upholsterers' Apprentices' Society.
He emigrated to Melbourne in 1865, where he joined the Cabinet Makers' Association,[1] and married Louisa Walsh in 1869.
He reconciled with Trades Hall in 1889 and played a prominent role in Victoria in the 1890 Australian maritime dispute, including attempts to find employment for strikers [3] He was a candidate for the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of North Melbourne at the 1886 election but he was defeated by 186 votes (2.8%).