Philadelphia lawyer and judge.

Read law with Tench Francis and at the Middle Temple; called to bar (1750). Judge of the court of vice-admiralty (1755-76). Protonotary of Pennsylvania Supreme Court (c. 1762-76). Member of the Pennsylvania Council (1770-75). Strove to maintain neutrality in Revolutionary War. President of the court of common pleas of Philadelphia County (1784-91). Associate justice of Pennsylvania Supreme Court (1791-99); chief justice (1799-1805).

Son of Edward and Sarah (Plumley) Shippen of Philadelphia. Married Margaret Francis, daughter of Tench Francis (1753); nine children, including Margaret, who married Benedict Arnold.