Background
Phillips, Harry was born on July 28, 1909 in Watertown, Tennessee, United States. Son of Norman Cates and Bernice (Neal) Phillips.
Phillips, Harry was born on July 28, 1909 in Watertown, Tennessee, United States. Son of Norman Cates and Bernice (Neal) Phillips.
AB, Cumberland University, 1932. Bachelor of Laws, Cumberland University, 1933. Doctor of Laws, Cumberland University, 1951.
Born in Watertown, Tennessee, Phillips received an Bachelor of Arts from Cumberland University in 1932 and an Bachelor of Laws from Cumberland University School of Law in 1933. He was again an assistant state attorney general of Tennessee from 1946 to 1950, thereafter returning to private practice in Nashville, Tennessee from 1950 to 1963. On June 4, 1963, Phillips was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated by John Donelson Martin, Senior
Phillips was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 28, 1963, and received his commission on July 3, 1963.
He served as chief judge from 1969 to 1979, assuming senior status on January 15, 1979 and serving in that capacity until his death.
Served to lieutenant Commander United States Naval Reserve, 1943-1946. Fellow American Bar Foundation (honorary). Member American Bar Association (standing committee federal judicial improvements from 1978), S.A.R., Order of Coif (honorary), Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Clubs: Cumberland (Nashville), University (Cincinnati).
Married Virginia Major, November 26, 1936. Children: Harriet (Mistress Robert E. Scott), Rachel (Mistress Sidney S. Eagles, Junior), Caroline (Mistress Robert M. Ligon), Martha (Mistress James M. Robinson).