A.W. Phillips, or Alban William Phillips, was a New Zealand economist known for his work in the mid-20th century. He is best recognized for developing the Phillips Curve, which illustrates the inverse relationship between inflation and unemployment. This concept has significantly influenced economic policy and theory. Phillips was born in 1914 and later moved to the United Kingdom, where he conducted his research. His findings suggested that lower unemployment could lead to higher inflation, a relationship that sparked extensive debate among economists. Phillips passed away in 1975, leaving a lasting impact on macroeconomic thought.