Philip Levi was born in 1822 in Brixton Hill, Surrey, England. He arrived in South Australia, aged 16, aboard the Eden (ship) in 1838 with his father, Nathaniel Philip Levi. Philip was involved in both pastoral and mercantile business and never married. He was one of the largest stockholders in the country and had properties in the north and north east and on Eyre Peninsula, including Gum Creek. At the height of his pastoral career it was estimated he had 172,000 sheep and cattle. His leases included Moolooloo, Mount Margaret, Callanna, Marachowie, Wirrealpa, Oulnina. A well known and influential businessman and pastoralist, Levi was one of the founders and a trustee of the Adelaide Club and also a renowned horseman who enjoyed a busy Adelaide social life. He had a large family.

Vale House is Adelaide's earliest surviving substantial residence. Built in the first five years of white settlement in South Australia, Vale House was occupied by several noted colonists including Captain Edward Frome, and William Clark. In 1853 it was purchased by Philip Levi. During the following 96 years of ownership by the Levi family Vale House became a popular centre of social activity for the Adelaide gentry.

Philip Levi died at Vale House, Walkerville 13 May 1898 aged 76. He was buried at the Jewish cemetery, West Terrace.

Cockburn, R Pastoral pioneers of South Australia Adelaide : Publishers Limited, 1925-1927 ("Reprinted from the Adelaide Stock and Station Journal.") pp. 28-9

The late Mr. Philip Levi Adelaide observer, 21 May 1898, p. 43, col. a; p.24, col. a(death notice)

[Phillip Levi] Scales, Marjorie Walkerville sketchbook, Adelaide: Rigby, 1977 p. 50

Levipark Walkerville

Manning index of South Australian history: Vale Park