Phillipson was born in
Leeds, Yorkshire, England, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs S. Phillipson, both practising Jews. He was educated at the Central High School, Leeds, and Yorkshire College,
University of Leeds, where he won prizes for
French,
English literature,
theory of education, and debating. He secured a teaching position in a boarding school before embarking on Law studies at the
Victoria University of Manchester followed by the
University College of London, where he was Quain prizeman in Comparative Law 1906–1908. which in 1910 awarded him a D.Litt. consequent on his admission to the
Inner Temple and publication of several books on international law. He practised for thirteen years in London, and held briefs from the Crown concerning points of Constitutional and International Law. During the Great War he confidential work for the War Cabinet, the Foreign Office, and the Admiralty. He was responsible for drawing up of various reports for the commission, on responsibility for the war and offences committed by the enemy. His compilation and analysis of such offences became a
Bluebook. Sir
Frederick Smith, (later
Lord Chancellor) in a standard work, gave his opinion that "Professor Phillipson is one of the greatest living authorities on international law". • "The Teachings of Lao-Tse and His Message for the Present Time" on 6 October 1920 • "International Conferences" on 10 March 1921 • "Paris Peace Conference — Personal Reminiscences" on 12 May 1921 • "The League of Nations" 28 June 1921 • "How Treaties of Peace are Made" 24 August 1921 • "Dante" on 14 September 1921 (600th anniversary of his death) • "L'esprit Français et la poésie Française moderne." 14 July 1922 • "Plays in relation to life" 1 August 1922 • "Trial by Jury" 22 March 1923 • "The Profession of Politics" 2 May 1923 • "Crime and Punishment", a series delivered in September 1923 • "Wit and Humour" 21 May 1924 • "Art and Life" 24 August 1924 • "The conception of tragedy in dramatic literature." 12 May 1925 Phillipson resigned on 15 May 1925 after a series of attacks on his practice of giving private lessons to students who were falling behind in their grades, and rumors of
blackmail. The climax of the affair was a note pinned to his door: Coleman Phillipson, Blackmailer. Get out, you dirty swine. He also complained of lack of documentary resources for his research and the council's refusal to allow him to practise Law privately. The university gave him paid leave to the end of the year. ==Family==