Caron (CJ) Lyon 's List: William Shipley - RSA

"It is not surprising that William Shipley, founder of the Society of Arts, spent much of his time reading and talking in coffee houses. Such places were a lively source of vibrant and democratic debate in 18th-century London.
 
In 1753, William Shipley travelled from Northampton to London. The 38-year-old’s mission was to promote his philanthropic scheme for encouraging arts, manufactures and commerce by seeking the support of "gentlemen of fortune and taste"."

"William Shipley while living in Northampton first envisaged the establishment of a Society for the encouragement of arts, manufacture and commerce. Shipley’s vision was simple; he believed that industry should be stimulated by means of prizes drawn from a fund contributed to by public-spirited people."

"William Shipley (baptized: June 2, 1715 – December 28, 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)."

"Norvic Philatelics - GB New Stamps and Special Postmarks
250th Anniversary of the Royal Society of Arts - 10 August 2004

The Society was founded in 1754 by artist and social activist William Shipley, with the aim to 'embolden enterprise, to enlarge science, to refine art, to improve manufacture and to extend our commerce'. The full name of the society is "The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.""