Jenny Hocking traces Murphy's life from childhood to his role in the Labor split of the 1950s, his pioneering work as a senator and reformist Attorney-General in the Whitlam government, to his rise to the bench of the High Court, through to his untimely death, amidst controversy, in 1986. His life is the story of a passionate reformer who was steadfastly committed to the institutions of the law and the parliament, and a constant champion of democratic values. It is also the story of a turbulent period of legal and social change in Australia. Drawing on numerous personal interviews as well as access to previously unseen archival material, this biography paints a vivid portrait of an individual who has left an indelible mark on Australian politics, law and culture.