Eleanor M. "Lady" Bumgardner, a Detroit native, worked as private secretary for Frank Murphy from 1933 until his death in 1949. She was thus associated with Murphy while he held the position of governor-general and high commissioner of the Philippines, governor of Michigan, U.S. attorney general, and Supreme Court justice. After Murphy's death, Bumgardner remained with the Supreme Court as an executive secretary until her retirement in 1961. In 1966, she married Frank S. Wright.
During her residence in Washington, Bumgardner was active in social activities in the city. She has been the legal guardian of a number of wards from various countries. Bumgardner was an avid doll collector and a close friend of Jeanne Dixon.
