Phillip Wright (pastoralist)

Infobox University Chancellor
name = Phillip A Wright


caption =
order = Second
university = Chancellor of the University of New England
term_start = 1960
term_end = 1970
birth_date = 20 July 1889
birth_place = Wongwibinda, NSW
death_date = 30 August 1970
death_place = Wallamumbi, NSW
predecessor = Sir Earle Page
successor = Sir Frank Kitto
alma_mater =
residence =
profession =
religion =
salary =
spouse =
children =
website =
footnotes =|

Phillip Arundell Wright, CMG (20 July 1889 – 30 August 1970), Australian pastoralist and philanthropist, was the second Chancellor of the University of New England from 1960 until 1970.

Born on the property "Wongwibinda", near Armidale, New South Wales in 1889, Wright was the sixth child of Albert and Charlotte Wright. His father died in 1890, and Phillip was raised by his mother, who purchased a number of properties east of Armidale that formed the basis of the Wright family’s holdings for one hundred years. Wright was predominately home-schooled by his sister, and for his entire life carried an appreciation for the value of a formal education.

Wright was one of leading figures in the establishment of the New England University College in 1938, and was a donor to the college from the beginning. Wright served on the advisory council of the university from its establishment, serving as vice-chairman and later deputy chancellor from 1943 until 1960. Upon the retirement of Sir Earle Page as the chancellor of the university in 1960, Wright was named as his successor.

Phillip Wright died in 1970 on his principal property of "Wallamumbi", near Armidale. He was succeeded as chancellor by Sir Frank Kitto. A great philanthropist to the university, Wright donated property, resources, prizes and a mace over the years of his association with the institution. In return, the university named Wright College and later the Wright Village after him, as was the original fountain in the central courtyard of the university.

Wright was also the father of the well known poet and conservationist Judith Wright.

See also

* University of New England
* List of University of New England people

External links

* [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A160702b.htm Entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography Online]