Eliza Pearl Shippen (February 2, 1888 – May 17, 1981) was an American educator, and one of the founding members of Delta Sigma Theta. She was an English professor and Dean of Women at University of the District of Columbia (then known as Miner Teachers College).
Early life and education
Shippen was from Washington, D.C., the daughter of John Matthew Shippen and Eliza Spotswood Shippen. Her father was a Presbyterian minister, and her older brother, John Shippen, was a professional golfer. She graduated from M Street High School in 1904. She trained as a teacher at the University of the District of Columbia (then known as Miner Teachers College). In 1912, she graduated from Howard University.
In 1913, she became one of the founding members of Delta Sigma Theta. She completed a master's degree in education at Teachers College, Columbia University in 1928, and doctoral studies in English literature at the University of Pennsylvania in 1944. Her dissertation was titled "Eugenia de Acton (1749–1827)".
Career
Shippen taught school in Washington, D.C. before and after her time at Howard University. She was dean of women at Miner Teachers College, and chair of the English department, and taught English literature courses there. She was the 11th president of the College Alumnae Club. She retired from D.C. Teachers College in 1954. In 1958 she published a research article on English poet Rose Fyleman in Elementary English. She was active in Howard and Delta alumnae activities in Washington into the 1970s.
Personal life
Shippen died at a nursing home in Hyattsville, Maryland, in 1981, aged 93 years. Her grave in Hyattville is with the grave of fellow Delta Sigma Theta founder and Washington educator Florence Letcher Toms, with a shared memorial stone donated by the sorority.
References
1888 births
1981 deaths
American educators
Delta Sigma Theta founders
University of Pennsylvania alumni
American suffragists
Teachers College, Columbia University alumni
Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.) alumni
Academics from Washington, D.C. African-American suffragists 20th-century African-American academics 20th-century American academics 20th-century American women educators African-American women academic administrators African-American academic administrators