Phillips, Stephen (1864–1915)

English poet and playwright. He came to prominence with the striking poem Christ in Hades 1897. With his Poems 1898 he established a reputation which lasted for ten years but was not sustained. He revived poetic drama with Paolo and Francesca 1900; later verse plays include Herod 1901, Ulysses 1902, and Nero 1906, all acclaimed at the time. He edited the Poetry Review 1913–15.

Phillips was born in Summertown, near Oxford, and educated at King's School, Peterborough, and Oundle, Northamptonshire. His mother was related to Wordsworth, and Laurence Binyon was his cousin. He studied for the civil service, but instead became an actor in Frank Benson's company 1885–92 before becoming known as a writer.