Tim Wallace-Murphy Passes Away

Dr. Tim Wallace-Murphy has passed away this week after a very long struggle with COPD. He was 89 years old. The Irish-born writer and lecturer—known for his works about the Knights Templar, as well as spiritual and esoteric subjects—was the author of thirteen books over the years, and appeared in countless documentaries. His books included: Hidden Wisdom—Secrets of the Western Esoteric Tradition; Rosslyn—Guardian of the Secrets of the Holy Grail; and The Enigma of the Freemasons—Their History and Mystical Connections.

Brother Wallace-Murphy was a Freemason and a member of Lodge Robert Burns Initiated No. 1781 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was devoted to the support, excavation, and restoration of Rosslyn Chapel over the years.

Tim Wallace-Murphy was born in Galway, Ireland, on the 13th of January 1930. After attending the University College Dublin from 1953-58, he obtained a degree in Medicine, and later one in Psychology. 

Tim spent his final years living in the Languedoc region of southwest France with his wife, Cyndi.

The following message appeared on his Facebook page on Wednesday, July 3rd:

It is with profound sadness that we wish to announce that Dr Tim Wallace-Murphy, 89, has passed away at his home in the South West of France, having been in a ‘slow hurry’ with his battle with COPD. Dying as he put it ‘was not all it cracked up to be’. He was surrounded by loved ones. 

A father, an inspiration and a friend to many, his death will be felt not just in Espéraza but around the world. He was born on 13 January 1930 in Galway to Timothy and Mae Murphy, later describing himself as a Franco-Irish Yiddisher boy with both feet firmly stuck in mid-air. After attending the University College Dublin from 1953 - 1958, he obtained a degree in Medicine and later one in Psychology. He then travelled across Europe and Africa for ten years before returning to England and beginning work as a clinical psychologist.
Through his work, Tim met author Trevor Ravenscroft with whom he co-authored his first book Mark of the Beast in 1988. Following this tome, Tim then devoted his life to the writing and research of the Knights Templar, Rex-Deus and pathways of spirituality. 

Tim was a dedicated supporter of the restoration and preservation of Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh, Scotland, undertaking excavations and field work with a team of like-minded people, whom would become lifelong friends. From this experience, he produced the book Rosslyn: Guardian of the Secrets of the Holy Grail. It is from this book that Dan Brown used as source material for his own work The Da Vinci Code. Tim found himself subsequently featuring in TV documentaries and began to settle in the South West of France or to Tim, ‘paradise’. 

Tim has had a proud career in community work and politics, having served as the Governor of South Devon Technical College, a TUC secretary, town councillor and a volunteer for the Leukaemia Research Fund. Tim dedicated his life in service to others and helping those who were also brought up spiritually confused on to a spiritual pathway. 

A service for friends and loved ones will be held to remember Tim at a later date; however as in life and death, funds are limited. If you wish to help with the arrangements financially, please use the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-for-tim-wallacemurphy 

Tim left many memories and many will be fondly remembered, such as his remarkable singing ability and razor sharp intellect. When asked shortly before his passing how he was feeling, he commented that “I will feel much better when this bloody thing is all over.” As we grieve, Tim’s humour lasted out to the last.

Requiescat in pace.