Wendell Phillips (archaeologist)

Wendell Phillips
Born
Wendell Phillips

1921 (1921)
Oakland, California, United States
Died (aged 54)
Arlington, Virginia, United States
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of California, Berkeley
Known forArchaeological expeditions in the Arabian peninsula
SpouseShirley Au
Scientific career
FieldsArchaeology

Wendell Phillips (1921 – December 4, 1975) was an American archaeologist and oil magnate who led some of the first archaeological expeditions in the areas that are part of modern-day Yemen and Oman. Excavating primarily in the 1950s, Phillips unearthed artifacts from the ancient kingdom of Sabaʾ. He was famous in the United States for his dashing style and adventurous stories, leading to his nickname, "America's Lawrence of Arabia".

Following his archaeological career, Phillips acquired oil concessions in Oman, Venezuela, South Korea, Indonesia, and other countries, which made him the largest individual holder of oil rights in the world, and gave him a net worth of $120 million.[1]

  1. ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Tucker, Abigail. "The Complex Legacy of America's Lawrence of Arabia". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved January 14, 2024.