A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Philips, Catharine
PHILIPS, CATHARINE,
Was the daughter of Mr. Fowler, a merchant of London, and was born there in 1681. She was educated at a boarding-school in Hackney, where she distinguished herself by her poetical talents. She married James Philips, Esq., of the Priory of Cardigan; and afterwards went with the Viscountess of Dungannon into Ireland. She translated from the French Corneille's tragedy of Pompey, which was acted several times in 1663 and 1664. She died in London of the small-pox, in 1664, to the regret of all; "having not left," says Langbaine, "any of her sex her equal in poetry." Cowley wrote an ode on her death; and Dr. Jeremy Taylor addressed to her his "Measures and Offices of Friendship." She wrote under the name of Orinda; and, in 1677, her works were printed as "Poems by the most deservedly admired Mrs. Catharine Philips, the matchless Orinda. To which is added several translations from the French, with her portrait."