PHILIPS (John), an eminent English poet, was born in 1676. He was educated at Winchester and Oxford, where he became acquainted with Milton, whom he studied with great application, and traced in all his successful translations from the ancients. The first poem which distinguished our author, was his Splendid Shilling, which is in the Tatler styled the finest burlesque poem in the English language. He wrote also a poem upon Cyder, founded on the model of Virgil's Georgics; which is an excellent performance in its kind: with several other pieces. He was beloved by all who knew him; somewhat reserved and silent amongst strangers, but free, familiar, and easy with his friends. He died young, in 1708.