William Shippen Sr. (October 1, 1712 – November 4, 1801) was an American physician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He joined Benjamin Franklin and other civic leaders to found the Public Academy in 1749 and served as one of its trustees.

[2] While teaching anatomy and surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, one of his pupils was future American president William Henry Harrison.

His son, William Shippen Jr., followed his father in a medical career and served as Director of Hospitals for the Continental Army.

Daughter Susan married Samuel Blair, the second Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives.