Jonathan Shipley was born in 1714. He was the son of a London stationer; his mother's family were owners of Twyford House, a large manor in Winchester, England. His brother, the portrait painter William Shipley (1714–1803), later originated the Society of Arts. Jonathan grew up at Walbrook in the City of London.
He was educated at Reading School in Berkshire. He received his college training at St John's College, Oxford, from where he received a BA degree in 1735, an MA degree in 1738, and a DD degree in 1748.
He was ordained about 1738, and acted as tutor in the household of the 3rd Earl of Peterborough. In 1743, he became rector of Silchester and Sherborne St John in Hampshire, and prebendary of Winchester. He was appointed to a canonry of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1748, and in 1760 to the deanery of Winchester and the living of Chilbolton, also in Hampshire, which he held in addition to his earlier preferments.
In 1769 he was consecrated successively bishop of Llandaff and of St Asaph.
In 1779 he was the only bishop to advocate the abolition of all laws against Protestant dissenters. He died on the 6th of December 1788.
Shipley was painted by Joshua Reynolds - two 1777 prints after the portrait, engraved by John Raphael Smith, are now in the National Portrait Gallery.
Thomas Moule's English Counties (1837 edition) states that the chancel of St Mary's Church, Twyford then contained "a mural monument, with a bust, by Joseph Nollekens" in Shipley's memory. The church was largely rebuilt in the 19th century, and the monument survives In the present building.
He was much concerned with politics, and joined the Whig party in strong opposition to the policy of George III towards the American colonies.
Quotations: "The true art of government consists in not governing too much. "
Jonathan Shipley married Anna Maria Mordaunt, daughter of Rev George Mordaunt and Elizabeth Doyley, and left descendants - his son, William Davies Shipley (1745–1826), became Dean of St Asaph.
He was an Anglican priest who served as Dean of St Asaph for nearly 52 years, from 27 May 1774 until his death.
