Joseph Bradford was an American actor, journalist, poet, and playwright. He is noted for his playwright endeavours that evoked sympathy of many literary admirers and also for writing numerous poems often based on topics of the day.
Background
Joseph Bradford was born on October 24, 1843 near Nashville, Tennessee and was christened William Randolph Hunter. His father, being one of the wealthiest slave owners in the South, was able to rear the son in luxury and to surround him with books which furnished a background for his later literary career.
Education
At sixteen young Hunter matriculated on September 29, 1860, in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. His standing in his class at the end of the first year was high, but the official record also recorded 120 demerits. He was dismissed on April 14, 1862.
Career
On July 9 Bradford enlisted as an acting master's mate and served successfully in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron on the U. S. S. Minnesota and on the U. S. S. Putnam. His service in the navy, under his real name, caused a break in the family ties. Under the assumed name of Joseph Bradford he then went on the stage in Baltimore. (His father's wealth went to the next of kin, but the memory of his mother was recalled in the adoption of her maiden name. )
Later he played in light comedies with several stock companies in various cities along the Atlantic Coast. A road tour took him to Boston, where he decided to write plays rather than to act in them. Here he also wrote numerous poems often based on topics of the day. Of these the most extensively quoted in the press was the one on the death of General Grant.
In addition to his work as a playwright, he wrote for Boston newspapers. His best journalistic work was possibly done for the Boston Courier over the signature of "Jay Bee. "