R. W. Bradford
Encyclopedia
Raymond William Bradford (September 20, 1947 – December 8, 2005) was an American
writer chiefly known for editing, publishing, and writing for the libertarian
magazine Liberty
.
He edited his first periodical, a short-lived mimeographed zine
called Eleutherian Forum, while a teenager.
During the 1970s he developed a prosperous precious metals and numismatic business in Lansing, Michigan
, Liberty Coin Service. He partially retired in 1980, moving to Port Townsend, Washington
with his wife.
For Liberty, which he started in 1987, he wrote under his own name as well as several pseudonyms: as "Chester Alan Arthur" he engaged in political reportage and commentary, and as "Ethan O. Waters" he wrote deliberately provocative philosophical criticism and essays. ("Ethan O. Waters" was an anagram for "Owen Hatteras", a pseudonym
used by H. L. Mencken
, a writer and editor much admired by Bradford.) Liberty magazine has been one of the longest-running libertarian journals ever published, and along with Reason magazine can be considered a giant in libertarian media.
Bradford favored a pragmatic approach to libertarian philosophy
, grounding his limited government beliefs in a view of individual rights as social constructs, rather than a result of natural law
. This approach differentiated Bradford from many other libertarian writers such as Ayn Rand
. Bradford, however, was extremely tolerant of differences of opinion, and often published articles and essays by those with whom he disagreed. Many libertarian writers found a home at Liberty magazine, and the monthly continues to be edited and published by his good friend, Stephen Cox
, and Bradford's widow, Kathy.
In later years, Bradford became notable for his published criticisms of the Libertarian Party
, whom he viewed as excessively didactic and electorally ineffective. He also reported upon what he viewed as financial mismanagement and cronyism by Libertarian Party officials. His criticism of the Libertarian Party's misuse of funds and ineffectual strategies often came into conflict with other libertarians, but his expose of financial mismanagement and cronyism
is credited, along with the honest campaign of Michael Badnarik
, with saving the Libertarian Party from disaster.
Bradford was highly critical of the 2003 invasion of Iraq
. Nonetheless, he solicited and published articles from advocates of the war, as well as critics.
He died of kidney cancer
on December 8, 2005 in Port Townsend, Washington
, aged 58.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer chiefly known for editing, publishing, and writing for the libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
magazine Liberty
Liberty (1987)
Liberty is a leading libertarian journal founded in 1987 by R. W. Bradford in Port Townsend, Washington, and currently edited from San Diego, California, by Stephen Cox...
.
He edited his first periodical, a short-lived mimeographed zine
Zine
A zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier....
called Eleutherian Forum, while a teenager.
During the 1970s he developed a prosperous precious metals and numismatic business in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, Liberty Coin Service. He partially retired in 1980, moving to Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a city in Jefferson County, Washington, United States, approximately north-northwest of Seattle . The population was 9,113 at the 2010 census an increase of 9.3% over the 2000 census. It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County...
with his wife.
For Liberty, which he started in 1987, he wrote under his own name as well as several pseudonyms: as "Chester Alan Arthur" he engaged in political reportage and commentary, and as "Ethan O. Waters" he wrote deliberately provocative philosophical criticism and essays. ("Ethan O. Waters" was an anagram for "Owen Hatteras", a pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
used by H. L. Mencken
H. L. Mencken
Henry Louis "H. L." Mencken was an American journalist, essayist, magazine editor, satirist, acerbic critic of American life and culture, and a scholar of American English. Known as the "Sage of Baltimore", he is regarded as one of the most influential American writers and prose stylists of the...
, a writer and editor much admired by Bradford.) Liberty magazine has been one of the longest-running libertarian journals ever published, and along with Reason magazine can be considered a giant in libertarian media.
Bradford favored a pragmatic approach to libertarian philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, grounding his limited government beliefs in a view of individual rights as social constructs, rather than a result of natural law
Natural law
Natural law, or the law of nature , is any system of law which is purportedly determined by nature, and thus universal. Classically, natural law refers to the use of reason to analyze human nature and deduce binding rules of moral behavior. Natural law is contrasted with the positive law Natural...
. This approach differentiated Bradford from many other libertarian writers such as Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She is known for her two best-selling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and for developing a philosophical system she called Objectivism....
. Bradford, however, was extremely tolerant of differences of opinion, and often published articles and essays by those with whom he disagreed. Many libertarian writers found a home at Liberty magazine, and the monthly continues to be edited and published by his good friend, Stephen Cox
Stephen D. Cox
Stephen D. Cox is the editor of Liberty magazine, an American monthly libertarian and classical liberal review. He is also a professor of literature at the University of California, San Diego and author of several non-fiction books....
, and Bradford's widow, Kathy.
In later years, Bradford became notable for his published criticisms of the Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
, whom he viewed as excessively didactic and electorally ineffective. He also reported upon what he viewed as financial mismanagement and cronyism by Libertarian Party officials. His criticism of the Libertarian Party's misuse of funds and ineffectual strategies often came into conflict with other libertarians, but his expose of financial mismanagement and cronyism
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
is credited, along with the honest campaign of Michael Badnarik
Michael Badnarik
Michael J. Badnarik is an American software engineer, political figure, and former radio talk show host. He was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States in the 2004 elections, and placed fourth in the race, behind independent candidate Ralph Nader...
, with saving the Libertarian Party from disaster.
Bradford was highly critical of the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
. Nonetheless, he solicited and published articles from advocates of the war, as well as critics.
He died of kidney cancer
Renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma is a kidney cancer that originates in the lining of the proximal convoluted tubule, the very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products. RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, responsible for approximately 80% of cases...
on December 8, 2005 in Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a city in Jefferson County, Washington, United States, approximately north-northwest of Seattle . The population was 9,113 at the 2010 census an increase of 9.3% over the 2000 census. It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County...
, aged 58.
External links
- Official site of Liberty magazine
- 'Cutting the Gordian Knot' Article on libertarianism by R. W. Bradford
- Liberty Coin Service
- Reflection on working with Bradford, by Brian Doherty
- Memoir of Bradford, by Jesse WalkerJesse WalkerJesse Walker is managing editor of Reason magazine. The University of Michigan alumnus has written the book Rebels on the Air: An Alternative History of Radio in America and maintains a blog called The Perpetual Three-Dot Column...
- Memoir of Bradford and Liberty, by Timothy Virkkala