John Arthur Phillips

John Arthur Phillips FRS, FCS (18 February 1822 – 5 January 1887) was a British geologist, metallurgist, and mining engineer.

Life He was born at Polgooth, near St Austell in Cornwall the son of John Phillips, who at one time was occupied as a mineral agent, and of Prudence Gaved of Tregian, St Ewe.

After an education at a private school at St Blazey he was placed with a surveyor, but soon turned his attention to metallurgy, especially in connection with electricity.

Phillips entered as a student at the École des Mines de Paris in December 1844; he graduated in 1846. He continued to reside in London till 1868, but made frequent professional journeys to various parts of Europe and to North Africa, besides those already named. In the latter year he went to Liverpool to build and manage the works of the Widnes Metal Company. The undertaking proved to be so prosperous that he was able to return to London in 1877, and afterwards to retire from business. He married Mary Ann Andrew, daughter of George Andrew of Carne, St Mewan, Cornwall, on 1 January 1850,

Selected publications Gold-mining and Assaying: A Scientific Guide for Australian Emigrants A Manual of Metallurgy, or a Practical Treatise on the Chemistry of the Metals Records of mining and metallurgy; or, Facts and memoranda for the use of the mine agent and smelter, with John Darlington