Phillips, Wilbur C., 1880-

Wilbur and Elsie Phillips were social theoreticians who devoted most of their lives to the development of his "social unit plan," a democratic neighborhood structure through which local residents could participate directly in the control of community affairs, with particular emphasis on the provision of neighborhood health care.

Wilbur Cary Phillips (1880-1967) was an American author, social scientist, and social philosopher.

Phillips was born in Central New York in 1880, the son of a clergyman. He attended Colgate Academy before graduating from Harvard University in 1904. He was appointed Secretary and Administrative Officer of the New York Milk Committee in 1906, where he served until 1911. On May 16, 1911, he married Elsie LaGrange Cole in New York City. That same year, he accepted a position as Secretary of the Milwaukee Child Welfare Commission. Phillips also established the National Social Unit Organization (NSUO), serving as executive director. During this time, Phillips worked on developing a social unit plan. After 1920, he decided not to work in positions that might distract him from developing his ideas, thus worked the remainder of his life unsalaried. Continuing to work toward his plan, Phillips established various committees and councils. He died in New York City in 1967.