William Shipley
(1715-1803)

social reformer, drawing master, founder of The Royal Society of Arts, and inventor

Died aged 88

William Shipley (baptised: 2 June 1715 – 28 December 1803) was an English drawing master, social reformer and inventor who, in 1754, founded an arts society in London that became The Royal Society of Arts, or Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA).

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Commemorated on 1 plaque

Nick Harrison on Flickr
London, United Kingdom

William Shipley 1715-1803 held the foundation meeting of The (Royal) Society of Arts in Rawthmell’s Coffee House on this site 22 March 1754

Rawthmell’s Coffee House in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom where they held the foundation meeting of the Society of Arts (1754)