People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Solomon Phillips (1810–1877)

by Colin Choat

Solomon Phillips was born in London in 1810, son of Philip Phillips and Rosetta, nee Moses. In 1832 he married Caroline Solomon, who was born in London in 1813. Shortly afterwards the couple came to Australia, arriving in the Enchantress in April 1833.

In Sydney, Phillips took up a position as Assistant Minister at the then newly formed Bridge Street Synagogue. The couple soon afterwards moved to Parramatta where Solomon opened business as an auctioneer. He became active in the political and literary affairs of Parramatta and was secretary and treasurer of the Road Trust and Town Council.

At the opening of the York Street Synagogue in 1844 Solomon Phillips assisted in the consecration ceremonies and afterwards performed the duties of reader.

In 1852, there was a gold mining boom in Victoria and Phillips took his family to Melbourne where he went into partnership with Mr. Bowling as importers of furniture, pianos and ironmongery. However the business did not prosper and following the death of his partner the business ceased operation.

In 1859 the secessionist Macquarie Street Synagogue was formed and Phillips returned to Sydney to take up the position of Minister. He worked closely with the synagogue committee which included Abraham Joseph Levy, who had married Phillips' sister, Catherine, in Sydney in 1833.

A foster son of Solomon Phillips, Victor Cohen, described Phillips in 1860: "Of medium height, he was a man of pleasing and dignified bearing and appearance. Proudly conscious of his high office and the need of upholding the traditions of the faith, he had yet a merry twinkle in his rather deep-set eyes. He was an ardent Hebraist, musician and scholar. His services were much in demand, not only in Sydney and suburbs, but throughout the whole of the country districts of the colony."

In 1874 Phillips, because of ill health, retired from the position as Minister of the congregation. He went with his wife and some of his children to Melbourne. He died at Carlton on 23 February, 1877. Caroline Phillips died at East Malvern, Victoria on 15 May 1904.

Their children were Rosetta (1834-1916), Philip David (P. D.) (1836-1909), twins Ephraim and Daniel (1838, both died in babyhood), Lydia (1839-1913), Joseph (1840-1901), Mondle Emanuel (1841-1865), Edward Elias (1843-1925), Lewis Samuel (1845), Hannah (1846-1920), Simeon (1847-1925), Abraham (1849-1910), David Solomon (1850), and Samuel Asher (1852-1913).

Rosetta married Alexander Fox and their son, Emanuel Phillips Fox became a distinguished Australian artist. P. D. Phillips became a well-known solicitor and a Shakespearian scholar. Simeon represented the electorate of Dubbo in the Legislative Assembly and was Mayor of Dubbo.

Original Publication

Related Entries in NCB Sites

view family tree

Citation details

Colin Choat, 'Phillips, Solomon (1810–1877)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/phillips-solomon-13961/text31716, accessed 7 November 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

30 December, 1810
London, Middlesex, England

Death

23 February, 1877 (aged 66)
Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Passenger Ship
Occupation or Descriptor
Key Organisations
Workplaces