Charles J. Dunphie

Charles James Dunphie (1820–1908) was an Irish journalist, art and literary critic, songwriter and poet.

Dunphie was an art and theatre critic for more than 60 years. He was the eldest son of Michael Dunphie, of Rathdowney House, Rathdowney, Queen's County. He studied medicine in Trinity College, Dublin and graduated with a B.A. The "Freeman's Journal credits him with being the favourite pupil of Sir William Ferguson. He deserted medicine for literature. His first job was as dramatic critic for The Times. He left that in 1856 to become an art critic for the conservative "Morning Post", a position he held until his death in 1908. 'He co-founded the minor Patriotic Fund Journal (1854-55), a weekly literary magazine whose small proceedings were donated to the Patriotic Fund. He wrote prose and poetry under the pen-name 'Melopoyn' for this magazine; John Gilbert and Birket Foster contributed engravings. From 1871-1876, he was affiliated with Belgravia, and in 1884 with the American magazines, the Saturday Evening Post and Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, again as a poet and fictional writer.' Cite:DNCJ. Dunphie also published poems in the "Cornhill Magazine" and "Hoods Comic Annual" (1887 and 1888), he also contributed articles in the Observer (signed 'Rambler') and the Sunday Times. His Greek and Latin poems were well known and he received praised from Mr Gladstone who claimed that they as worthy as those of the Irish Humorist, Father Prout (pen name for the Cork writer, Francis Sylvester Mahony). He was author of "The Chameron: Fugitive Fancies on Many Coloured Matters, Sweet Sleep, Wildfire; A Collection of Erratic Essays". He also was a well-known song writer. He wrote the following songs, "He Conquers Who Endures", "The Londoner's Lament", 'While we live, let us live', "Songs for the Times", "Sally Chandler, or a Doleful Ditty of Spalding", 'What's the Odds so Long as You're Happy", amongst others for the Moore and Burgess Minstrels, (c.1846-1900. They played in the St. James Hall, London). Dunphie was credited by "The Era" with 'introducing some smart hits at the Follies of the Day, political and social.' Cite: (Mr. Frederick Burgess's Benefit'. "The Era" (London, England), Sunday, February 13, 1876; Issue 1951. He was married and lived in King Henry Rd. South Hampstead. He had one daughter Agnes who married George Anderson Crickett, the eminent oculist of Harley Street, in 1883. Cite: 'THEATRICAL GOSSIP'. The Era (London, England), Saturday, August 11, 1883; Issue 2342. He died in London in July 1908. He died in London July 10th 1908

The above information was obtained from: Sources: 'Death of an Irish Critic', Freeman's Journal, (1763-1924), July 11, 1908, p.1 Brake, Laurel and Demoor, Marysa. DNCJ, Dictionary of Nineteenth Century JournalismAcademia Press, 2009 The song, "He Conquers Who Endures", was cited in 'Literature' . Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, March 16, 1873; Issue 1582. Also cited in 'Public Amusements', Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, February 2, 1873; Issue 1576. The song, 'While we live, let us live', was cited in Advertisements & Notices . "The Era" (London, England), Sunday, March 8, 1874; Issue 1850 The Song, 'The Londoner's Lament' was cited in 'Advertisements & Notices' . "The Era" (London, England), Sunday, September 20, 1874; Issue 1878 The song,"Songs for the Times", was cited in 'Mr. Frederick Burgess's Benefit'. "The Era" (London, England), Sunday, February 13, 1876; Issue 1951. The song, "Sally Chandler, or a Doleful Ditty of Spalding". 'Public Amusements'. Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, August 8, 1875; Issue 1707. The song,'What's the Odds so Long as You're Happy", was cited in 'The Moore and Burgess Minstrels'. The Era (London, England), Sunday, September 21, 1879; Issue 2139. Published a poem for the "Hoods Comic Annual" (1887). Source: 'Literature'. Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, November 6, 1887; Issue 2346. There are references to "The Chameron" and his latin poetry in 'Subsidised Theatres in Paris'. The Era (London, England), Saturday, March 17, 1888; Issue 2582.

Works

The splendid advantages of being a woman. And other erratic essays. (1876) Wildfire. A collection of erratic essays. (1876) Sweet Sleep. A Course of Reading Intended to Promote That Delightful Enjoyment. (1879) Free Lance: Tiltings in many lists. (1881) The Chameleon. Fugitive pieces on many-coloured matters. (1888) Many-Coloured Essays (1906)

He is quoted in the Rev. James Wood's The Nuttall Dictionary of Quotations. 'Men and women who "grill" over the petty annoyances incident to existence, and inseperable from it, go to ruin like a care-worn cat.'

Works

• The splendid advantages of being a woman. And other erratic essays. (1876)
• Wildfire. A collection of erratic essays. (1876)
• Sweet Sleep. A Course of Reading Intended to Promote That Delightful Enjoyment. (1879)
• Free Lance: Tiltings in many lists. (1881)
• The Chameleon. Fugitive pieces on many-coloured matters. (1888)
• Many-Coloured Essays (1906)

Persondata
Name	Dunphie, Charles J.
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Date of birth	1820
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Date of death	1908
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