Charles S. Bradley
Encyclopedia
Charles Smith Bradley was a lawyer and legal scholar. He served as chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
between 1866 and 1868.
, Bradley attended Boston Latin School
and went on to Brown University
at age 15. He graduated in 1838 with the highest honors of his class. Choosing the legal profession, he attended Harvard Law School
, and formed a business co-partnership with Charles Foster Tillinghast, Sr. on his being admitted to the bar in 1841. Their law firm, Tillinghast & Bradley, became one of the most prominent law firm
s in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century.
In 1854 Bradley was elected by North Providence to the Senate of the State, where he was influential in securing the Act of Amnesty to all who were involved in the Dorr Rebellion
of 1842. In February, 1866, he was elected Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, and for over two years held that high position, when he resigned to resume professional practice and give that attention to business affairs that the exacting nature of judicial duties precluded. Bradley was chosen Bussey Professor of Law at Harvard Law School
and filled the chair till 1879.
Rhode Island Supreme Court
The Rhode Island Supreme Court, founded in 1747, is the court of last resort in the U.S. State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The Court consists of a chief justice and four associate justices. The current Justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court are:*Chief Justice Paul A...
between 1866 and 1868.
Biography
Born in Newburyport, MassachusettsNewburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport is a small coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston. The population was 21,189 at the 2000 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island...
, Bradley attended Boston Latin School
Boston Latin School
The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts. It is both the first public school and oldest existing school in the United States....
and went on to Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
at age 15. He graduated in 1838 with the highest honors of his class. Choosing the legal profession, he attended Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
, and formed a business co-partnership with Charles Foster Tillinghast, Sr. on his being admitted to the bar in 1841. Their law firm, Tillinghast & Bradley, became one of the most prominent law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
s in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century.
In 1854 Bradley was elected by North Providence to the Senate of the State, where he was influential in securing the Act of Amnesty to all who were involved in the Dorr Rebellion
Dorr Rebellion
The Dorr Rebellion was a short-lived armed insurrection in the U.S. state of Rhode Island led by Thomas Wilson Dorr, who was agitating for changes to the state's electoral system.- Precursors :...
of 1842. In February, 1866, he was elected Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, and for over two years held that high position, when he resigned to resume professional practice and give that attention to business affairs that the exacting nature of judicial duties precluded. Bradley was chosen Bussey Professor of Law at Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
and filled the chair till 1879.