Philip Cheney was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. He received his B.S. from Harvard University and also studied at the American School in Fontainebleau, France. Cheney exhibited his work at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, City Art Museum of St. Louis, National Academy of Design, Los Angeles Museum, Paris Salon, and Society of Independent Artists.

His work is included in the permanent collection of Yale University, the New York Public Library, Library of Congress, Detroit Institute of Art, and the Valentine Museum in Richmond, Virginia