After study with Samuel Parr, he was educated at Trinity College, Oxford and at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He was vicar of Eling, Hampshire (1808-55) and rector of Millbrooke (1812-55).

CORRESPONDENCE OF William Joseph George Phillips:

Joseph Gerrard to William Philips, 16 May 1795 in Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Opinions of the Rev. Samuel Parr, LL.D.; with Biographical Notices of many of his Friends, Pupils, and Contemporaries. 2 vols (London: Henry Colburn, 1828)