Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Shipton, William

by Edward Irving Carlyle

SHIPTON, WILLIAM (fl. 1659), poet, perhaps identical with William Shipton of Magdalene College, Cambridge, who graduated B.A. in 1660 and M.A. in 1664, was the author of a collection of poetry and prose published by Charles Tyus, at the sign of the Three Bibles, London Bridge, in 1659, under the title of ‘Dia: a poem’ (Brit. Mus.). The introductory portion extends to thirty pages, comprising a dedication ‘to the Truly Noble Edward Trotter Esquire,’ and commendatory verses by ‘Jo. Cooke, Gent., Aulæ Clar.,’ and by Richard Shipton. Besides a series of poems in praise of his mistress Dia, the volume contains elegies on Thomas Shipton (who was drowned), on Lord Sheffield, and poems on ‘Gunpowder Treason,’ and on Robert Wilson (a noted musician), and a prose essay entitled ‘Cupid made to see and Love made lovely.’ His poems are full of extravagant and complex metaphors, and his prose is even more fantastic.

[Corser's Collectanea, v. 237; Lowndes's Bibl. Manual, iv. 2384; Hunter's Chorus Vatum (Add. MS. 24488), ii. 366; Grad. Cant. 1659–1823, p. 419.]

E. I. C.