Henry Myer (or Mayer) Phillips was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 1811, the son of Zalegman (or Zeligman) Phillips, a criminal lawyer. He attended the Franklin Institute and was admitted to the bar in 1832. Phillips practiced law and was a clerk for Philadelphia's court of common pleas before serving a term in the United States House of Representatives (1857-1858). After returning to Philadelphia, he became a trustee for Jefferson Medical College, a member and president of the Board of Fairmount Park Commissioners, and a member and president of the Board of City Trusts. Henry M. Phillips died on August 28, 1884.
From the guide to the Henry M. Phillips collection, Phillips, Henry M. collection, 1857-1875, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)
