John Phillips

Who is John Phillips?

John Phillips was a prominent English master carpenter, builder, and architect who was active in London.

He inherited the considerable practice of his uncle, Thomas Phillips, who was active as a speculative builder on the Harley estate, held the contract for carpentry and joiner's work at James Gibbs' St Martin-in-the-Fields and St Peter's, Vere Street, and built the wooden bridge across the Thames between Fulham and Putney.

In partnership with George Shakespear, John Phillips developed Charles Street, Mayfair and other blocks of land in London's West End. Phillips was the "undertaker" for the whole north-west corner of the Grosvenor estate. Phillips built a grand house for Lord Bateman at the north end of Park Lane, and next to it Camelford House for Thomas Pitt, 1st Baron Camelford. A subcontractor for carving documented in 1773 was John Linnell, a prominent cabinetmaker.

In Oxford, Phillips constructed James Gibbs's wooden dome for the Radcliffe Camera and provided refined joinery in the building. Phillips and Shakespear were also responsible for the interior joinery of Christ Church Library.