Phillips , John , 1800-1874 , geologist

John Phillips was born at Marden in Wiltshire on 25 December 1800. On the death of both his parents, his uncle, the geologist, William Smith (1769-1839), was responsible for bringing up the young John Phillips. Phillips worked alongside his uncle in London, until the spring of 1824. In 1825 he was appointed Keeper of the museum in York. Phillips held several academic posts. He was appointed Professor of Geology at King's College London 1834, Professor of Geology at Trinity College Dublin in 1844 and Reader in Geology at Oxford University in 1856. He wrote widely on different aspects of Geology. Phillips was Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum from 1857 to 1874. He received honorary degrees from Trinity College Dublin, Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Phillips died on 24 April 1874.