SHIPPEN, WILLIAM, second son of Rev. William Shippen DD, Rector of Stockport, Lancs.; bapt. 30 Jul 1673; adm.; KS 1688; elected to Trinity Coll. Cambridge 1691, adm. pens. 26 Jun 1691, aged 18, scholar 8 Apr 1692, matr. 1691/2; BA 1694/5; adm. Middle Temple 23 Nov 1693, called to bar 19 May 1699; MP Bramber 29 Dec 1707 – 15 Jan 1709, 8 Dec 1710-3, Saltash 1713-5, Newton (Lancs. ) from 1715; wrote satirical verses against the Whigs 1708; a Commissioner of Public Accounts and for stating Army Debts 1711-4; a prominent member of the “October Club”; opposed the offer of a reward for the apprehension of the Pretender 1714; sent to the Tower for drawing attention to George I’s ignorance of “our language and constitution” 4 Dec 1718; became one of the recognised Jacobite leaders in the House of Commons; moved the reduction of the Civil List 1727; opposed Walpole’s excise scheme 1733; refused to vote for the removal of Walpole 1741; “Downright” Shippen was more remarkable for his courage and incorruptibility than for any superior eloquence or talent; a pioneer of constitutional opposition in the House of Commons; lic. to m. 17 Jul 1712 Frances, sister of Bertram Stote (qv); d. 1 May 1743. DNB.
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- https://collections.westminster.org.uk/index.php/college-1