| William Bradford | |
|---|---|
Grave of William Bradford in Trinity Church New York City |
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| Born | May 20, 1663 Leicestershire, England |
| Died | May 23, 1752 (aged 89) New York, New York |
| Occupation | Printer |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Sowle |
| Children | [1] |
William Bradford (May 20, 1663 – May 23, 1752) was an early English printer in North America. He is best known as "the pioneer printer of the Middle colonies" and the head of a family that included leading publishers for 140 years. He was also known for controversies regarding freedom of press.
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Bradford was born in the village of Barwell in Leicestershire, England where his father was a printer. As was customary, he was apprenticed outside the family to Andrew Sowle, the foremost Quaker printer in London. By 1685 he had mastered the trade, acquired his own press, adopted Sowle's religion and married the master's daughter, Elizabeth.[1]
In 1685, the Bradfords emigrated to Philadelphia. Bradford soon set up the Middle Colonies' first printing press printing an almanac, "Kalendarium Pennsilvaniense" by Samuel Atkins. In the almanac, Bradford apologized for errors caused by his troublesome travel but hoped that readers would appreciate the hard work he underwent in order to bring print to the Middle Colonies.[1]
In 1685, the almanac that Bradford printed for Atkins received immediate attention, especially from Pennsylvania Governor William Penn who took offense at a reference to him. Atkins was quickly reprimanded for the incident and Bradford was told not to print anything unless it was approved by the Pennsylvania Council. Later in 1687, Bradford was informed not to print anything about Quakers unless they approved it beforehand.[1]
In 1689, the new Pennsylvania governor John Blackwell was outraged and officially reprimanded Bradford when he printed William Penn's original charter for the colony. Bradford argued that he printed what he received and was not liable. Bradford then quit his business and briefly went to England, to return in 1690.[1]
In 1692, Bradford was arrested and tried in the first case in America that raised the issue of Freedom of the Press. He printed a tract of George Keith that contained material objectionable to the Quaker community leaders. He and John McComb, a taverner who distributed the paper, were briefly jailed, and his press was seized. The trial resulted in no decision, based on a split jury, but soon after release he decided to leave Philadelphia.
After being invited, Bradford moved to New York in 1693, where he was made the official printer for New York. Bradford's first publication was called "New-England's Spirit of Persecution Transmitted to Pennsylvania" that fought for his case in the previous printing incidents. Bradford also began printing books, tracts, paper money, and the laws of the colony.[1]
Between 1725-1744, Bradford printed the New York Gazette, the New York's first newspaper. Bradford's business grew tremendously and he did printing for New Jersey after 1723.[1]
Bradford retired at the age of 80 in 1743.[1]
Bradford died on May 23, 1752 and was interred in the Trinity Churchyard Cemetery in Manhattan.
Bradford's son, Andrew would become a colonial printer and Bradford's grandson, William would become a famous printer during the American Revolution.[1]
Earl Shilton Community College (a college with a sixth form) in Leicestershire was renamed in honor of its neighboring village's famous son and is now William Bradford Community College.