ABSTRACT
This chapter examines John Phillips' multifarious activities from 1841 to 1853, other than those connected with the Survey. From 1841 to 1849 Phillips spent several months a year away from home and far from London, which limited his local commitments and his involvement in metropolitan affairs. In 1850 the Society began to administer the government grant, the purposes and mode of distribution of which were avowedly indebted to the British Association for the Advancement of Science precedent as adumbrated by Phillips. From summer 1849 to spring 1850 he was busy as a civil scientist reporting to government about the ventilation of coal mines. Phillips' interest in popularisation of science was strikingly shown in his contribution in 1851 to the Great Exhibition of the Works of lndustry of All Nations. Phillips was expected and encouraged by fellow geologists to write a full biography.
