Philip Doddridge (1702-1751) was born in London, England. His parents taught him religion from a very early age, but they died in his youth. He attended a private school at St. Albans. In 1718, he became a member of a non-conformist congregation at St. Albans pastored by Rev. Samuel Clark. After severe financial losses he refused an offer to dedicate himself to the church in exchange for financial support, because of the thirty-nine articles he did not agree with. He inquired after Dr. Edmund Calamy who advised against the ministry. He turned possibly to the law profession. Samuel Clark offered to take him under his care. In 1719 he went to an Academy at Kibworth in Leicestershire, a leading place for Dissenters. He was under Rev. John Jennings.