Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Shanley attended the public schools.

Graduate of Battery Commander School at Fort Sill, Arkansas, in 1917.

During the First World War served as a lieutenant in the Forty-fifth Field Artillery, United States Army, in 1917 and 1918.

He taught mathematics at Carlton Academy, Summit, New Jersey, in 1920 and 1921 and in New Haven, Connecticut from 1921 to 1934.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress