Oliver Brand

Brand was born on 6 November 1852 at 7 Pierrepoint place in Bath, Avon, England. He was one of 6 children born to James Alphonsos Murphy (1825-1877) who was born in Maynooth, Ireland, who was a headmaster in Midford, and Jane Flanery (1868–1917) a teacher from Dublin, Ireland. Murphy was bought up Catholic, with both parents being Irish Catholic. He was home schooled by his father until he attended Downside School.

He became a stockbroker in London and then later a clerk. In 1876, he travelled in Spain and Gibraltar, it is unclear if he was there teaching.

Around 1881 he was lodged with Placide Malva, who also used the writing name of P. Von Tugginer, in Clapham, London, where he and Placide Malva, started to write songs and operas. Over the years, they would collaborate on over 30 songs and melodies. It was around this time that he started to credit himself as 'J.S.Murphy' and then 'Oliver Brand'.

Brand was one of the many Victorian composers and lyricists selected by German Reed Entertainments (famous for engaging with then newcomer W.S.Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan) at St. George's Hall, London, on Regent's Street. In 1884, He was paired up with Hamilton Clarke to write the song "Fairly Puzzled" of which he wrote the lyrics. Also in 1884, he wrote the songs "Epping Forest" and "One Angry Word" with French composer Leonard Gautier and later the vaudeville comedy "The Mummy" for St. George's Hall, London. During this time at St.Georges Hall, Brand was involved with many projects with P. Von Tugginer.

By 1887, he had moved to Battersea, London and was married to Elizabeth Bettle (1868–1917) and between 1888 and 1904, they had 9 children.

In 1889, he wrote a novel called Reba which received mixed reviews.

In the 1890's Brand wrote several short stories named The Marley Mystery in various newspapers, including The Stage.

In 1901, Brand was a language teacher in Portsmouth, Hampshire. By this stage in his life, he was still writing songs and lyrics whilst producing theatre shows and operettas. His last notable work was "A Grand Concert" in 1906, a musical about the Irish Rebellion of 1798 against the British. The concert, held at Salisbury Hall, Southsea, had music by composer Thomas Hunter.

Brand died at his family home in Augustine Road, Southsea, Hampshire on 11 July 1907, aged 55.

Brands nephew was first-class Irish cricketer Desmond Murphy who played for Ireland cricket team in 1920. His grandson is actor Brian Murphy (actor), who is married to Linda Regan.

Butter Fly And Bee Song (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1881)

Kitty Of The Vale Ballard (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1881)

The Sailors Home (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1881)

The Last Leaf (Grandmamas Song) (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1881)

Remembered Yet (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1882)

When Life Is Young (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1882)

Believe Me (as J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1882)

Cast Of All Sorrow (as Oliver Brand) (1883)

Pass Around The Goblet (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

Fair Rosaline (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

The Hills Of Navarre (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

Scarlet Poppies (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

Dream & Forget (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1883)

Toledo (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (1884) : Comic Opera Performed at Empire Theatre, Aberdare, Wales

Epping Forest (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (1884)

My Love Has Set Sail (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva (1884)

Fairy Glen (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (22 April 1884) : Operetta at St. George's Hall, London

The Mummy (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (22 April 1884) : Operetta at St. George's Hall, London

Fairly Puzzled (as Oliver Brand) with Hamilton Clarke (19 August 1884) : For German Reed Entertainment at St. George's Hall, London

Dust Thou Remember (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1884)

One Angry Word (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (1884)

I Know Not Why (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva (1884)

Fairest Of All (as O. Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1884)

Dont Tell Me Love (as Oliver Brand) (1884)

Gertie (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer (1901)

Au Revior (as Oliver Brand) with Leonard Gautier (1901)

The Cornflower (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva (1901)

Skating By Moonlight (J.S.Murphy) with P. Von Tugginer (1901)

A Grand Concert (Various songs) (as Oliver Brand) with Thomas Hunter (1906) : Musical performed at Salisbury Hall, Southsea.

Unknown Dates (between 1881-1906)

Firelight Shadows (as O. Brand) with P. Von Tugginer

The Charm Of A Blush (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva

Mitcham Town (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva

The Best Of Friends Must Part Sometimes (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva

Beyond Repair (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer

The Silent Harp (as Oliver Brand) with Placide Malva

Our Only Hope (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer

A Fairy Dream (as Oliver Brand) with P. Von Tugginer

• The hills of Navarre : song | WorldCat.org
• Scarlet poppies : song | WorldCat.org
• A History of English Drama 1660-1900: Volume 5, Late Nineteenth Century Drama 1850-1900
• A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Reed, German - Wikisource, the free online library