William Bradford Reed
Encyclopedia
William Bradford Reed was an American
politician and journalist, born in Philadelphia.
After graduating at the University of Pennsylvania
in 1825 he went to Mexico
as private secretary of Joel R. Poinsett
, studied law, was elected Pennsylvania Attorney-General (1838), and was made professor
of American history at the University of Pennsylvania (1850). In 1857, Reed became Minister to China
, where he negotiated the Treaty of June, 1858, and on his return (1860) was active in Democratic Party
politics and in New York
journalism. For a time he was an American correspondent of The Times
. Reed published many controversial and historical pamphlets and contributed essays chiefly to the American Quarterly and the North American Review
. He wrote also an excellent Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed
, his grandfather (1847), and Life of Esther de Berdt, afterward Esther Reed, his grandmother (1853).
His brother was educator Henry Hope Reed
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and journalist, born in Philadelphia.
After graduating at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in 1825 he went to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
as private secretary of Joel R. Poinsett
Joel Roberts Poinsett
Joel Roberts Poinsett was a physician, botanist and American statesman. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives, the first United States Minister to Mexico , a U.S...
, studied law, was elected Pennsylvania Attorney-General (1838), and was made professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of American history at the University of Pennsylvania (1850). In 1857, Reed became Minister to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, where he negotiated the Treaty of June, 1858, and on his return (1860) was active in Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politics and in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
journalism. For a time he was an American correspondent of The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
. Reed published many controversial and historical pamphlets and contributed essays chiefly to the American Quarterly and the North American Review
North American Review
The North American Review was the first literary magazine in the United States. Founded in Boston in 1815 by journalist Nathan Hale and others, it was published continuously until 1940, when publication was suspended due to J. H. Smyth, who had purchased the magazine, being unmasked as a Japanese...
. He wrote also an excellent Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed
Joseph Reed (jurist)
Joseph Reed was a Pennsylvania lawyer, military officer, and statesman of the Revolutionary Era. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and, while in Congress, signed the Articles of Confederation...
, his grandfather (1847), and Life of Esther de Berdt, afterward Esther Reed, his grandmother (1853).
His brother was educator Henry Hope Reed
Henry Hope Reed
Henry Hope Reed was an American educator. He was considered the star of the faculty at University of Pennsylvania and was an early champion of poet William Wordsworth.-Life and career:...
.