Brooks, Phillips (1835-1893), an American Episcopal clergyman and bishop, is best remembered for his Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” He was well known for his eloquence, dynamic preaching, charming personality, and tolerant views.
Brooks was born in Boston. He graduated from the Protestant Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria, Va. He served as rector of two Protestant Episcopal churches in Philadelphia from 1859 to 1869. He wrote his famous carol, first sung in 1868, while rector of Holy Trinity Church there. He was rector of Trinity Church in Boston from 1869 to 1891. He gave the Yale Lecture on Preaching in 1877. Brooks served as bishop of Massachusetts for the Protestant Episcopal Church from 1891 until his death in 1893.
