Robert Fiske Bradford was an American politician who served one term as the 57th Governor of Massachusetts, from 1947 to 1949.
Background
Bradford was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The scion of an old traditional New England Yankee Brahmin family, his father was a successful physician and dean of Harvard Medical School. Through an entirely paternal line he was a descendant of Mayflower passenger William Bradford (Plymouth Colony governor).
Education
He graduated from the elite Browne and Nichols School, and from Harvard University in 1923.
Career
In 1926 he received his law degree from Harvard Law School, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Boston. 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.
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 veterans and prevent alcoholism through treatment and prevention programs.
Bradford was defeated in his bid for re-election in 1948 by former Massachusetts Attorney General Paul A. Dever. After his loss, Bradford 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. He died on March 18, 1983 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Magnolia Avenue, Lot 3112.
Bradford"s daughter, Ann, was the wife of United States. Senator Charles Mathias of Maryland.
Politics
As Governor, Bradford governed in the fashion of his mentor, Leverett Saltonstall, with an emphasis on fiscal conservatism and social liberalism.