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William Shippen Jr.
Fellow
Date of Fellowship admission: 2 February 1768
William Shippen Jr. was born in Philadelphia in 1736, son of Dr William Shippen, a delegate to the Continental Congress. After studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1761 he returned to Philadelphia, becoming the first Professor of Anatomy, Surgery and Midwifery at the College of Philadelphia and founding North America's first maternity hospital. During the American Revolutionary War he served as Director of Hospitals for the Continental Army and was later court-martialled over supplies. He helped found the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and was its President from 1805 until his death in 1808.
Year of medical qualification
16 September 1761
Date of Licence
3 November 1767
Fellowship
The main qualification issued by the College, awarded regularly since the College’s foundation. This qualification was granted based on demonstrated breadth of experience and did not require an individual to pass a certain examination.