Joseph Murphy was a Divine Science minister and author. Murphy was born in Ireland, the son of a private boy's school headmaster and raised a Roman Catholic. He studied for the priesthood and joined the Jesuits. In his twenties an experience with healing prayer led him to leave the Jesuits and move to the United States. Murphy has given lectures and written books for audiences all over the world. In his lectures he points out how real people can radically improve their lives by applying specific aspects of his concepts.