Drawing master, Philanthropist. Founder of the Royal Society of Arts. He began his career by using an inheritance of five hundred pounds to set up in business as a painter and drawing master. At the same time he joined the Northampton Philosophical Society and began raising funds to buy fuel for the poor. He first published proposals for a society for the arts in 1753 and a year later moved to London where he founded "The Society of the Arts". In 1755 he opened a private drawing school on The Strand. In 1761 the society put on the first major public exhibition of domestic art yet seen in London. Shipley's aim in setting up the society was to promote Britain as a centre for the advancement of the arts and sciences and awards were offered for discoveries in fields such as textiles and the production of native timber for use by the Royal Navy. In addition, Shipley also awarded prizes for the creation of accurate maps to encourage exploration. He produced many new inventions of his own, including ideas for inexpensive fuel for the poor, a floating light to aid with sea rescues, a method for introducing new species of fish to English ponds and a way of waterproofing shoes with tin foil. The society he founded went on to become The Royal Society of Arts and he was made a life member and awarded a gold medal. He fell ill in 1789 and died two years later.
Drawing master, Philanthropist. Founder of the Royal Society of Arts. He began his career by using an inheritance of five hundred pounds to set up in business as a painter and drawing master. At the same time he joined the Northampton Philosophical Society and began raising funds to buy fuel for the poor. He first published proposals for a society for the arts in 1753 and a year later moved to London where he founded "The Society of the Arts". In 1755 he opened a private drawing school on The Strand. In 1761 the society put on the first major public exhibition of domestic art yet seen in London. Shipley's aim in setting up the society was to promote Britain as a centre for the advancement of the arts and sciences and awards were offered for discoveries in fields such as textiles and the production of native timber for use by the Royal Navy. In addition, Shipley also awarded prizes for the creation of accurate maps to encourage exploration. He produced many new inventions of his own, including ideas for inexpensive fuel for the poor, a floating light to aid with sea rescues, a method for introducing new species of fish to English ponds and a way of waterproofing shoes with tin foil. The society he founded went on to become The Royal Society of Arts and he was made a life member and awarded a gold medal. He fell ill in 1789 and died two years later.
Bio by: js
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