Philips was born in Northfield, Massachusetts and traveled widely, before completing his education at Columbia University, graduating in 1925.

Philips started writing short stories for pulp fiction magazines in the 1920s and 1930s. He also wrote plays and a newspaper column. In 1950, he helped found the Sharon Playhouse, where he served as a producer and adviser. In the mid 1960s he hosted a program about events in Connecticut's "Northwest Corner" on radio station WTOR in Torrington CT (610kh 1kw day 500w night DA) which attracted a following. A number of his mystery novels were published undder his own name as well as the Hugh Pentecost moniker, all of which benefitted from strong characterization, fair play with the reader, and unstilted language to describe ineteresting situations. An entertaining coversationalist and raconteur he was well respected in his community and in his literary genre.

In 1973, he received the Grand Master Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Mystery Writers of America.

Phillips died of complications resulting from emphysema in 1989, at the age of 85, in Canaan, Connecticut. He was survived by his wife, Norma Burton Philips; three sons, David, of Cranston, Connecticut; John, of Washington, and Daniel, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a daughter, Caroline Norwood of Rochester.