In 1810 George Shannon was in St. Louis when he was authorized to travel to Pennsylvania to assist historian Nicholas Biddle in editing the Lewis and Clark journals. While working on the journals, Shannon decided to study law and gained entry into Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky for himself and his brothers David, James, and Wilson. After completing his studies, he joined a law firm in Lexington, married Ruth Snowden Price of a prominent family, and together they raised seven children. Shannon had a natural gift for public speaking, was often called upon at community events, and is remembered for an address on the virtues of George Washington given at a celebration of the first president's birthday in 1814.