Thomas Bradford (191)

Thomas Bradford (4 May 1745–7 May 1838) was a prominent Philadelphia printer and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1768. Born in Philadelphia, he entered Princeton University in 1760 but withdrew from his studies before graduating to assist with his father’s printing business. A quick learner, Bradford partnered with his father by 1766. He focused on the financial aspects of the firm while also building a side business in bookselling. In 1771, the Bradfords published the first volume of APS’s Transactions; the APS contracted them to publish a second but it was interrupted by the American Revolution. The Bradfords’ press also produced the Pennsylvania Journal with the management work increasingly falling to Thomas. After 1774, the Bradfords began to publish material for the Province of Pennsylvania, including publications related to the Revolutionary conventions and congresses. With the outbreak of the war, Thomas served in the Continental Army and in 1778 was named Deputy Commissary General of Prisoners. Towards the end of his life, Bradford took an active interest in other ventures in the city, purchasing a theater and in 1821 serving as a commissioner to oversee the erection of Eastern State Penitentiary. Bradford was active in the APS throughout his life. In addition to publishing the Transactions and serving on a number of committees, he printed APS membership certificates engraved by fellow member Pierre Eugène Du Simitière. When Bradford died, APS members attended his funeral as pallbearers, a mark of respect for the society’s oldest member at that time (he was 94) and its member of longest standing (70 years). (PI)