PHILIPS (Catherine), a very ingenious lady, the daughter of Mr John Fowler merchant; was born at London, in January 1631, and educated at a school at Hackney. She married James Philips of the priory of Cardigan, esq. and went with the viscountess of Dungannon into Ireland, where she translated Corneille's tragedy of Pompey into English, which was several times acted there with great applause. Her poems were first printed in the year 1664, tho' without her consent; and after her death a small volume of her letters to Sir Charles Cotterel, was published under the title of Letters from Orinda to Poliarchus. She died of the small-pox in London, in June 1664. Besides the above, she translated from the French of Corneille, part of the tragedy called Horace, which Sir John Denham completed by adding the fifth act; and soon after her death, her poems and translations were published in a folio volume. This lady, who had few
personal graces, was greatly admired for her abilities and many virtues; and was particularly esteemed by several persons of quality and distinction, amongst whom were those illustrious peers, the duke of Ormond, the earls of Orrery and Roscommon, and Dr Taylor bishop of Downe and Connor. Mr Dryden more than once mentions her with honour; and Mr Cowley wrote an excellent ode upon her death.