Joseph Murphy was a Divine Science minister and prolific author, renowned for his contributions to the New Thought movement in the 20th century. Born in Ireland on May 20, 1898, Murphy was the son of a private boy's school headmaster and grew up in a Roman Catholic household. He aspired to join the priesthood and became a Jesuit. However, in his twenties, an experience with healing prayer profoundly impacted him, leading him to leave the Jesuits and emigrate to the United States.

In the U.S., Murphy pursued a career as a pharmacist in New York, having earned a degree in chemistry. His journey into spiritual healing continued as he attended the Church of the Healing Christ, which is part of the Church of Divine Science. This path eventually brought him into contact with key figures in the New Thought movement, including Emmet Fox and Ernest Holmes, the founder of Religious Science. In 1946, Holmes ordained Murphy into Religious Science, marking the beginning of his influential career as a teacher and writer in the movement.

Murphy's teachings and writings, especially on the power of the subconscious mind, have left a lasting impact on the New Thought movement and its followers. He passed away on December 16, 1981, in Laguna Hills, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual guidance and enlightenment through his numerous works.