Robert F. Bradford
Encyclopedia
Robert Fiske Bradford was an American
politician who served one term as the 57th Governor
of Massachusetts
, from 1947 to 1949.
Yankee Brahmin
family, his father was a successful physician and dean of Harvard Law School
. He graduated from the elite Browne and Nichols School, and from Harvard University
in 1923.
A Republican, Mr. Bradford entered politics by serving as Executive Secretary to Governor Joseph Ely, and later worked on the gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns of Leverett Saltonstall
. In 1938, he was elected District Attorney
of Middlesex County
, and served in that position from 1939 to 1945, when he became Lieutenant Governor
under Democratic Governor Maurice J. Tobin
. In 1946, Bradford challenged and defeated Tobin, and served as Governor from 1947 to 1949.
As Governor, Bradford governed in the fashion of his mentor, Leverett Saltonstall
, with an emphasis on fiscal conservatism
and social liberalism
. During his administration, he advanced balanced budgets and intervened to prevent protracted strikes
, which would be deleterious to the interests of business and the broader public. His administration worked to promote public housing
for veteran
s and prevent alcoholism
through treatment and prevention programs. In 1947, he chaired the "Silent Guest" program in which Americans were encouraged to donate the cash equivalent of one setting of Thanksgiving
dinner to the starving poor in post-war Europe
. Bradford was defeated in his first reelection attempt.
He returned to the private practice of law, and later in life served as President of Planned Parenthood
of Massachusetts.
Composer Leroy Anderson
, who penned such classics as "Sleigh Ride
" and "Blue Tango
", wrote a piece entitled "Governor Bradford March" that was premiered on July 6, 1948 at a concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra
under the direction of Arthur Fiedler
. Governor Bradford made a special appearance.
Bradford's daughter, Ann, was the wife of U.S. Senator
Charles Mathias of Maryland
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served one term as the 57th Governor
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, from 1947 to 1949.
Biography
Bradford was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The scion of an old traditional New EnglandNew England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
Yankee Brahmin
Boston Brahmin
Boston Brahmins are wealthy Yankee families characterized by a highly discreet and inconspicuous life style. Based in and around Boston, they form an integral part of the historic core of the East Coast establishment...
family, his father was a successful physician and dean of 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...
. He graduated from the elite Browne and Nichols School, and from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1923.
A Republican, Mr. Bradford entered politics by serving as Executive Secretary to Governor Joseph Ely, and later worked on the gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns of Leverett Saltonstall
Leverett Saltonstall
Leverett A. Saltonstall was an American Republican politician who served as the 55th Governor of Massachusetts and as a United States Senator .-Biography:...
. In 1938, he was elected District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
of Middlesex County
Middlesex County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge* Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Longfellow National Historic Site* Lowell National Historical Park* Minute Man National Historical Park* Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge...
, and served in that position from 1939 to 1945, when he became Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
under Democratic Governor Maurice J. Tobin
Maurice J. Tobin
Maurice Joseph Tobin was a Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, the 56th Governor of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, and U.S. Secretary of Labor....
. In 1946, Bradford challenged and defeated Tobin, and served as Governor from 1947 to 1949.
As Governor, Bradford governed in the fashion of his mentor, Leverett Saltonstall
Leverett Saltonstall
Leverett A. Saltonstall was an American Republican politician who served as the 55th Governor of Massachusetts and as a United States Senator .-Biography:...
, with an emphasis on fiscal conservatism
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
and social liberalism
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
. During his administration, he advanced balanced budgets and intervened to prevent protracted strikes
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
, which would be deleterious to the interests of business and the broader public. His administration worked to promote public housing
Public housing
Public housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is owned by a government authority, which may be central or local. Social housing is an umbrella term referring to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by non-profit organizations, or by a combination of the...
for veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s and prevent alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
through treatment and prevention programs. In 1947, he chaired the "Silent Guest" program in which Americans were encouraged to donate the cash equivalent of one setting of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
dinner to the starving poor in post-war Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Bradford was defeated in his first reelection attempt.
He returned to the private practice of law, and later in life served as President of Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
of Massachusetts.
Composer Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson was an American composer of short, light concert pieces, many of which were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler...
, who penned such classics as "Sleigh Ride
Sleigh Ride
"Sleigh Ride" is a popular light orchestral piece composed by Leroy Anderson. The composer had the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946; he finished the work in February 1948. Lyrics, about a person who would like to ride in a sleigh on a winter's day with another person,...
" and "Blue Tango
Blue Tango
"Blue Tango" is an instrumental composition by Leroy Anderson. it was later turned into a popular song with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. It was published in 1952...
", wrote a piece entitled "Governor Bradford March" that was premiered on July 6, 1948 at a concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra
Boston Pops Orchestra
The Boston Pops Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in playing light classical and popular music....
under the direction of Arthur Fiedler
Arthur Fiedler
Arthur Fiedler was a long-time conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, a symphony orchestra that specializes in popular and light classical music. With a combination of musicianship and showmanship, he made the Boston Pops one of the best-known orchestras in the country...
. Governor Bradford made a special appearance.
Bradford's daughter, Ann, was the wife of U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Charles Mathias of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.