PHILIP ALLEN was born in Providence, Rhode Island. After finishing school, he took charge of his father’s business in trade, became involved in cloth manufacturing, and served as President of the Providence Insurance Company. He was also President of the Rhode Island branch of the United States Bank and a pension agent. He served in the Rhode Island General Assembly for several years. During his two full gubernatorial terms, capital punishment was abolished in Rhode Island, and the legislature began meeting annually. Although elected governor for a third time, Allen resigned shortly after his third term began to accept a seat in the U.S. Senate. He served in the Senate from the summer of 1853 until 1859, when he retired from business and public life.