Career
He was closely associated with Manchesterism and has been described as the "unofficial member for Manchester", though not formally representing lieutenant George"s father, Thomas Philips (1728–1811) of Sedgley, Lancashire, established a cotton manufacturing company in Manchester. George was brought up in the dissenting tradition.
Towards the end of the eighteenth century he joined forces with Samuel Boddington and "Conversation" Sharp (alias Richard Sharp) to form the West India company of "Boddington, Sharp and Philips" which was based at 15 Mark Lane, London.
As fellow Dissenters, the three partners shared many common interests. Philips enjoyed writing poetry and he was especially pleased with his Epistle from Windemere to Richd.
In Parliament he sat as a Whig and represented Ilchester 1812, Steyning 1818-1820, Wootton Bassett 1820-1830. Philips was an Member of Parliament for Warwickshire South following the Reform Acting until 1835.
He is pictured in a commemorative painting by Sir George Hayter of the 1833 parliament.
As his wealth grew (Sydney Smith teasingly nicknamed him "King Cotton"), Philips left the family home in Manchester, Sedgley Hall, and built in Warwickshire. lieutenant was the work of James Trubshaw to the design of Edward Blore, constructed from 1826 to 1833, and was fitted out by Augustus Pugin. The building was demolished in 1932.
Philips married Sarah-Ann, eldest daughter of Nathaniel Philips of Hollinghurst.
They had one son, George Richard.