Isaac Logan Chipman was born on July 17, 1817, near Berwick, Kings County, Nova Scotia, the son of a pastor.

He attended Horton Academy and was licensed by the Church to preach the Gospel in 1836. In 1839, he graduated from Waterville College (later Colby University) in Maine and in 1840, he became professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Geology at the Acadia College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Chipman was a man of great vision and energy, who also had an earnest love of study. He began the library at Acadia and started the College Museum for which he personally collected numerous plant, animal and mineral specimens and encouraged others to make donations. He was also an early proponent of adult education and gave special lectures in geology. His approach to teaching was practically oriented with a strong emphasis on lab and fieldwork, rather than books and recitations. He was very fond of geological excursions, and it was while leading such an excursion to Blomidon around Minas Basin that he lost his life. The boat capsized and Prof. Chipman and four students drowned on June 7, 1852.