Born on 1 July 1915, Lord Leverhulme was the grandson of the first Viscount, who began as a grocer and built up Lever Brothers as a worldwide business, establishing soap factories all over the world and pioneering the development of West Africa and the Congo. Philip Leverhulme was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took a degree in modern languages. He developed an early and abiding interest in hunting and horse racing, but subsequently fishing and shooting became his main hobbies. During the second world war, he served as a Major with the Cheshire Yeomanry in the Middle East and managed to ride a winner during a race meeting in Beirut. He was Deputy Honorary Colonel in the Cheshire Yeomanry TAVR from 1971 to 1972 and Honorary Colonel in the Queen's Own Yeomanry from 1978 to 1981, and was awarded the Territorial Decoration. He was a senior steward of the Jockey Club from 1970 to 1976. Philip succeeded his father, the second Viscount, in 1949 and moved to the family seat in Thornton, becoming Lord Lieutenant of the City and County of Cheshire, a JP, President of the Council of Liverpool University from 1957 to 1963, and its Chancellor from 1980 to 1994. He was awarded an honorary LLD by the University in 1967. In 1988 he was appointed a Knight of the Garter. Philip married Margaret Moon of Tiverton in 1937, who predeceased him in 1973. They had three daughters but no sons, so the baronetcy expired with him. He was an extremely genial and affable man and was very proud of his association with the College, to which he was a regular and very generous benefactor. For many years he was chairman of the fundraising committee, composed of many successful businessmen and captains of industry who made substantial contributions to the College's financial affairs. For his services to the College he was elected an honorary FRCS in 1970 and was appointed to the Court of Patrons. At his memorial service in Chester Cathedral the church was packed and many warm and affectionate tributes were paid to the sterling qualities of this extremely nice man.