Edward Bright was an American Baptist editor. He is noted for the establishment "The Examiner", which under his editorial supervision became the organ of the Baptist churches in a section of the United States.
Background
Edward Bright was born on October 6, 1808 in Kington, a market town of Herefordshire on the Welsh border of England. In his childhood his parents emigrated to America, settling in Utica, New York, where the senior Edward Bright carried on for a time the business of brewer and maltster, and later opened a tannery.
Career
The younger Edward was set to learn a trade, became an expert printer, and as his first business venture he joined the partnership of Bennet & Bright in a publishing enterprise. This was successful, but Bright's religious convictions led him to believe that he ought to enter the ministry of the church, and in 1839 he was licensed to preach. The following year he was ordained, and became pastor of the Bleecker Street Baptist Church, in Utica.
He had grown to manhood during a time when the polemical disposition was indulged by champions of different phases of religious opinions, and the rapid growth of the Baptists and their distinctive practises occasioned general criticism. Bright never flinched in defense of his faith.
After a brief pastorate his well-known interest in missions made him considered for an official position in the missionary society, and he was elected foreign secretary of the American Baptist Missionary Union with headquarters in Boston. Here his editorial ability had a chance to appear in the production of the serial numbers of the Baptist Missionary Magazine.
In 1855 he went to New York and purchased a Baptist newspaper called the Register. He changed its name to the Examiner. The paper for which he was responsible never hedged on public questions. The editor had his convictions, expressed them freely, and was ready to back them up if assailed.
Achievements
Religion
As a Baptist Bright was a loyal denominationalist, so he held dedicated service and was devoted to the missionary and educational affairs of the denomination.
Personality
Bright's forceful manner at times created antagonisms, but his heart was friendly and sympathetic. Sometimes he was criticized; he did not hesitate to criticize others sharply.
Connections
Bright was married twice: first, to Adeline Osborn of Homer, New York, and second, to Anna Leslie Reid, of Rochester.