Thomas Phillips (educational benefactor)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Phillips was an educational benefactor, a founder of St David's College, Lampeter, and the founder of Llandovery College
in Wales
.
Phillips had been born in London to parents from Radnorshire
and had part of his education in Wales. He became apprenticed to an apothecary
at Hay-on-Wye
, and qualified as a surgeon in London in 1780. He then joined the Royal Navy
serving for two years, mainly in Canada. After leaving the navy, he joined the East India Company and spent much of his career in India
, carrying on business as well as working as a surgeon. While in India, he set up some small libraries in order to further the education of soldiers serving there. He bought an estate on the island of St Vincent
, and, when he returned to London in 1817, he "spent the rest of his days in acts of charity, kindness and hospitality".
Phillips was a major benefactor of St David’s College, Lampeter, and this led to his founding 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, and 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 December 13, 1849.
In the course of his life, Phillips donated over 22,000 volumes to St David's College, Lampeter, (the "Phillips Collection"), including a collection of 169 religious tracts.
Llandovery College
Llandovery College is an independent school in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It was founded and endowed by Thomas Phillips in 1847 to provide a classical and liberal education in which the Welsh language; the study of Welsh literature and history were also to be cultivated.Llandovery...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Phillips had been born in London to parents from Radnorshire
Radnorshire
Radnorshire is one of thirteen historic and former administrative counties of Wales. It is represented by the Radnorshire area of Powys, which according to the 2001 census, had a population of 24,805...
and had part of his education in Wales. He became apprenticed to an apothecary
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
at Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye , often described as "the town of books", is a small market town and community in Powys, Wales.-Location:The town lies on the east bank of the River Wye and is within the Brecon Beacons National Park, just north of the Black Mountains...
, and qualified as a surgeon in London in 1780. He then joined the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
serving for two years, mainly in Canada. After leaving the navy, he joined the East India Company and spent much of his career in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, carrying on business as well as working as a surgeon. While in India, he set up some small libraries in order to further the education of soldiers serving there. He bought an estate on the island of St Vincent
Saint Vincent (island)
Saint Vincent is a volcanic island in the Caribbean. It is the largest island of the chain called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between Saint Lucia and Grenada. It is composed of partially submerged volcanic mountains...
, and, when he returned to London in 1817, he "spent the rest of his days in acts of charity, kindness and hospitality".
Phillips was a major benefactor of St David’s College, Lampeter, and this led to his founding 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
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
himself, but he had a major concern for its survival, and 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 December 13, 1849.
In the course of his life, Phillips donated over 22,000 volumes to St David's College, Lampeter, (the "Phillips Collection"), including a collection of 169 religious tracts.