Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix
David K. Israel
6 Other Phelps Worth Knowing
by David K. Israel - August 19, 2008 - 8:30 AM

Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps, that’s all everyone is talking about these days. And, okay, with good reason. But let’s not forget about the other notable Phelps—especially the following 6, who are some of my Phavorite Phelps.

1 and 2: Identical twins James Andrew Eric Phelps and Oliver Martyn John Phelps (b. 1986)

phelpstwins.jpgYou know them from: All those great Harry Potter films. Yes, they are Fred and George Weasly.

Phunny Phelps Phactoid: According to IMDB, the twins switched places on the set once, only to be caught and forced to redo all the scenes over again.

Favorite HP books: James: Prisoner of Azkaban Oliver: Goblet of Fire

The long and short of it: While not as tall as Michael Phelps (6’4”), the Phelps twins stand an impressive 6’3” each.

3. Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes (b. 1867 d. 1944)

300px-MrMrsINPhelpsStokes1897.JPGYou know him from: This great John Singer Sargent painting of him and his wife, which Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes commissioned.

stpauls.jpgYou also know him as: the architect of St. Paul’s Chapel up at Columbia University.

The other Isaac Newton: No, this Isaac Newton did not pen Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, but he is the author of the gigantic, 6-volume work: The Iconography of Manhattan Island, one of the best, most comprehensive illustrated histories of Manhattan.

4. Charles Phelps Taft II (b. 1897 d. 1983)

240px-NG1917_Charles_Phelps_Taft_II.pngYou know him as: President William Howard Taft’s son

You also know him as: “Mr. Cincinnati”—a nickname he received when he was mayor of Cincinnati (supposedly one of the city’s best ever).

This Phelps was wed to: Eleanor Kellogg Chase… thrown in the surname Taft, and that’s just an embarrassment of riches.

5. Jim Phelps (fictional character)

graves.jpgYou know him from: Mission Impossible, the original director of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF)

On TV, he was played by: Peter Graves

In the first MI film, he was played by: Jon Voight

Curious Phelps Phactoid: In the original TV series, Phelps was the man. In the first movie, Ethan Hunt was the man, and Phelps the IMF traitor. As one reviewer once wrote: “That’s like killing off Mr. Brady 10 minutes into The Brady Bunch Movie.”

6. William Wines Phelps (b. 1792 d. 1872)

wwphelps.gifYou know him as: the author of numerous Latter Day Saint hymns like “The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning.”

He’s also well known for: helping to print the first Latter Day Saint hymnal as well as an early edition of the church’s Doctrine and Covenants.

Curious Phelps Phactoids: W.W. was excommunicated by the church at least three times during the course of his life, two less than the number of wives he had.

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Comments (14)
  1. Gives a whole new meaning to Phelps Phan.

    Very clever!

  2. What about Fred Phelps???

  3. I love the Phelps/Weasley twins! They definitely make repeated viewings of the HP movies worth it.

    (shallow like a raindrop, yes I am)

  4. No Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church?

  5. How can you forget Fred Phelps???

  6. Fred Phelps on my favorite list? Wouldn’t that be like putting Mussolini on the list? No thanks guys.

  7. The less I have to hear about Fred Phelps, the better.

  8. EXACTLY, David! That “man” is neither a favorite nor is he “worth knowing”.

    In the (sorta) words of Bon Jovi, “He gives Phelps, a bad name.”

  9. Thanks for all the Phelps! (I figured we needed a pun.)

    And the less said about Fred, the better.

  10. In the original MI tv series Mr. Phelps was the guy who replaced the other guy.

  11. Doesn’t anybody remember Michael Phelps and his drunk driving in 2004, underage at that? Everybody is so happy that he won the gold medals and all, but is he the best role model?

  12. The first name I thought of is former Notre Dame basketball coach-turned-ESPN analyst Richard “Digger” Phelps…

  13. @ Linda: who said he was a role model? He’s an athlete, and an exceptional one at that. Does that mean he has to lead a perfect example for everyone? No, he’s human. Anyone who looks at a famous athlete (any celebrity, really) as an example of how to live their life is a moron.

  14. Jim Phelps was not the original IMF director. Dan Briggs (played by Steven Hill) was the director in the first season.

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