John A. Shedd

John A. Shedd (1859–1928) was an American theologian and author. He is frequently credited with the aphorism, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for,” a line often quoted to encourage purposeful risk and forward motion. Beyond this commonly cited saying, widely available sources provide limited, inconsistent biographical detail about Shedd’s life and career, and I cannot verify specific positions, publications, or institutional affiliations with confidence. For accuracy, he is best described in general terms as a U.S. religious writer associated with theological commentary and inspirational reflection in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.