Arthur Phillip

Admiral Arthur Phillip (11 October 1738 – 31 August 1814) was a British naval officer, governor of the first European settlement in Australia and founder of the city of Sydney.

Early life and naval career

He was born in London, the son of Jacob Phillip, a German-born language teacher, and his English wife, Elizabeth, who had remarried after the death of her previous husband, a Royal Navy Captain. Phillip was educated at the school of the Greenwich Hospital, and at the age of 13 was apprenticed to the merchant navy.

Related Topics:
London - Greenwich Hospital - Merchant navy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Phillip joined the Royal Navy at fifteen, and saw action at the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in the Mediterranean at the Battle of Minorca in 1756. In 1762 he was promoted to Lieutenant, but was placed on half pay when the Seven Years' War ended in 1763. During this period he married, and farmed in Hampshire.

Related Topics:
Royal Navy - Seven Years' War - Mediterranean - Battle of Minorca - 1756 - 1762 - Lieutenant - 1763 - Hampshire

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1774 Phillip joined the Portuguese Navy as a captain, serving in the war against Spain. In 1778 England was again at war, and Phillip was recalled to active service, and in 1779 obtained his first command, the Basilisk. He was promoted to captain in 1781, and was given command of the Europe, but in 1784 he was back on half pay.

Related Topics:
1774 - Portuguese - Spain - 1778 - 1779 - 1781 - 1784

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~