Robert Schaeffer Phillips (1938 – January 21, 2022[1]) was an American poet and professor of English at the University of Houston.

He and his wife took a position in the Dusseldorf, Germany office of Grey Global Group, where he had opportunities to travel to places like Paris and London.

He continued publishing while working in advertising, while teaching creative writing part time at the New School at nights.

In 1991, Phillips became a member of the creative writing faculty at the University of Houston, where he remained until his retirement in 2009.

[5] Starting in 2001, the Texas Review in coordination with Sam Houston State University has offered an annual prize bearing Phillips' name for a distinguished poetry chapbook.

The collection contains his correspondence, writings, and memorabilia such as programs and announcements and issues of various periodicals in which Phillips’ work appears.