Samuel George Phillips was born in Pennsylvania in 1890. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts under such important names as Daniel Garber, Cecilia Beaux, William Meritt Chase, and Hugh Breckenridge, and then continued his education in Europe.

Early in his career, Phillips worked as an illustrator. His work appeared in many publications, including the Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal, and McCall's. In 1915, Phillips opened a portrait studio in Philadelphia, to which he diligently commuted from Atlantic City for half a century. Phillips's portraiture practice became one of the most prominent in Philadelphia, with Phillips receiving commisions from cultural leaders, academicians, businessmen, and politicians. Although Phillips's portraits were ever popular, his passion belonged to landscape painting. Phillips often spent his weekends in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, painting the beautiful local scenery.

Throughout his impressive career, Phillips exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C, and the National Academy of Design.