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Charles Murphy
(1909-1994)
Born in Ohio, the Pottery Mecca of the United States, Charles Murphy was destined for a career in ceramics. When Charles was a child, his father was employed by Saxon Potteries, who also gave the young lad his first job during summers when he was away from school. Young Charles went on to study fine art at the Cleveland Art Institute, working in his spare time at Guy Cowan's pottery studio. His talent gained him a scholarship to study art in Europe, but after his return to the United States during the throes of the Great Depression Murphy was forced to re-enter the field of pottery. During this time he worked alongside such greats in the field as Frederick Rhead of the Homer Laughlin Company. In 1940, Murphy began work for Red Wing Potteries where he remained until the late 1950's, with the exception of a short stint in the military. Later in life, Murphy returned to the fine arts working primarily as a wildlife painter.
To learn more about Charles Murphy:
• Red Wing Collectors Society Inc.
• Red Wing Dinnerware
• Wisconsin Pottery Association Newsletter, Issue 13 (pdf)
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