Sir John Grant Phillips (13 March 1911 – 7 October 1986) was an Australian

economist An economist is a professional and practitioner in the social sciences, social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy. Within this ...

who became the second

Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is Australia's central bank and banknote issuing authority. It has had this role since 14 January 1960, when the ''Reserve Bank Act 1959'' removed the central banking functions from the Commonwealth Bank. Th ...

, from 1968 to 1975. His name appeared on Australian currency notes as "J. G. Phillips".

Honours

In the

Queen's Birthday Honours The Birthday Honours, in some Commonwealth realms, mark the King's Official Birthday, reigning monarch's official birthday in each realm by granting various individuals appointment into Order (honour), national or Dynastic order of knighthood, dy ...

of 8 June 1968, he was appointed

Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(CBE), and in the 1972

New Year Honours The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, with New Year's Day, 1 January, being marked by naming new members of orders of chivalry and recipients of other official honours. A number of other Commonwealth realms also mark this ...

he was promoted Knight Commander in that order (KBE).

Death

In October 1986 his and his wife's bodies were found after their joint suicide. The couple had been a member of a local euthanasia society, and although in good health, had prepared for their joint suicide.'Bank Knight and Wife Found Dead', The Daily Telegraph, 9 October 1986.

Publications

Developments in monetary theory and policies
(1971), R. C. Mills memorial lecture; 5 –

References

External links

History and the Development of Central Banking in Australia 1920–1970
Selwyn Cornish (2007) 1911 births 1986 suicides 1986 deaths Australian Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire Suicides in New South Wales Joint suicides 20th-century Australian economists Governors of the Reserve Bank of Australia {{economist-stub