There were two major aspects to the scientific career of David Phillips. The first was his crystallographic research, most notably the role that he played in studies of lysozyme, the first enzyme to have its three-dimensional structure and mechanism determined by X-ray crystallography. This led to international recognition, with the consequent award of many prizes and medals, honorary doctorates and fellowships. The second was the part that he played in scientific organization both within the UK and internationally.

David was born in Ellesmere in Shropshire on the 7th of March, 1924; his father was a master tailor who was also a Methodist lay preacher. He attended Oswestry Boys High School and then studied physics at University College, Cardiff. After taking the reduced two-year degree course that had been mounted to provide graduates for wartime service, he became a radar officer on the aircraft carrier Illustrious, experiencing the dangers of carrying out experiments with high voltage equipment on the ship's metal deck.

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