Thomas Phillips

Thomas Phillips (6 July 1760 – 30 June 1851), was an educational philanthropist, a slave owner,

Phillips was born in London, within the sound of Bow Bells, to parents from Llandegley, Radnorshire. He completed part of his education in Wales and later credited his long life to his hill-climbing youth. He became apprenticed to an apothecary at Hay-on-Wye, possibly Mr Powell, before becoming a pupil of the celebrated London surgeon John Hunter of Jermyn Street. He qualified as a surgeon in 1780 and then joined the Royal Navy serving for two years. He travelled as surgeon's mate on the frigate Danae, before visiting military outposts on the Saint Lawrence, including Montreal and Quebec as surgeon on the Hind. After leaving the navy, he qualified as a member of the Company of Surgeons and joined the East India Company. He spent much of his career in India, carrying on business as well as working as a surgeon. In 1796, he became inspector of hospitals in Botany Bay, Australia. In 1798, he sailed home on sick leave; his ship was captured by a French privateer resulting in his temporary detention in Bordeaux.

Philanthropy

Phillips retired, a rich man, to 5 Brunswick Square, London. He "spent the rest of his days in acts of charity, kindness and hospitality," wanting to give away as much as possible so he could see it well used. ) and establishing six scholarships of £24 a year for boys from Breconshire and Radnorshire. His gifts included six medieval manuscripts and about fifty incunables.

Llandovery College

He also founded Llandovery College in 1847, after the college authorities had refused his offer to endow a Welsh professorship at Lampeter. Llandovery College was founded under the name of the Welsh Educational Institution, with a donation of £4,666 and a library of 7,000 books given by Phillips. It is not certain whether he spoke the Welsh language himself, but he had a major concern for its survival. He specified that it be taught regularly and systematically at the college, and also "for some portion of the day" to be the sole medium of communication and instruction. The foundation stone was laid on 13 December 1849.

Phillips attended meetings of the London College of Surgeons almost to the end of his life. Phillips died in 1851; he was buried in the crypt of St Pancras church, London, next to his wife. At his death, 50 000 books were found in his home, all designated for distribution to various libraries.