Philip Phillips (businessman)

Philip Phillips (January 27, 1874 – April 18, 1959) was an American businessman. He became a prominent figure in citrus farming in Central Florida and remains known in Orlando for his philanthropy.

Philip Phillips
Born
Philip Phillipe

(1874-01-27)January 27, 1874
DiedApril 8, 1959(1959-04-08) (aged 85)
EducationColumbia University (M.D.)
OccupationBusinessman
ChildrenHoward Phillips

Education edit

Philip Phillips was born in Memphis, Tennessee to Henri and Isabelle Phillipe, both originally from France.

Phillips earned a medical degree from Columbia University in New York, for which he earned the life-long nickname "Doc".[1]

Career edit

A citrus magnate, at one point he owned more than 5,000 acres (20 km2) of citrus groves before selling his industry assets in 1953. After that, he established the Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, while Dr. Phillips Inc. remained in the real estate business, particularly as run by his son, Howard Phillips.

Legacy edit

Many places and establishments are named in his honor in the Orlando, Florida area, including the community of Dr. Phillips, Florida (a suburb of Orlando),[2] Dr. P. Phillips Baby Place at Winter Park Memorial Hospital, Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, The Dr. Phillips House which is now a restored Historic Inn where Dr. Phillips had lived, Dr. Phillips High School, and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in 2014, and Dr. Phillips Academic Commons located at UCF's downtown Orlando campus.

The Dr. Phillips name has been a major economic and philanthropic presence in the Central Florida community for over 100 years. Dr. Phillips Charities honors the Phillips family legacy through its support of local nonprofit organizations that live up to the family’s motto of “helping others help themselves” in the areas of health, education, arts, youth, and social services within the Central Florida community, as well as organizations that preserve the free enterprise system and protect private property rights. Dr. Phillips Charities consists of Dr. Phillips, Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation. To date, the combined organizations have made grants, pledges and program related investments totaling over $220 million.

References edit

  1. ^ "Our History | Dr. Phillips Charities". www.drphillips.org. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  2. ^ Moyer, Armond; Moyer, Winifred (1958). The origins of unusual place-names. Keystone Pub. Associates. p. 37.

External links edit