Person Detail: William Bradford

General Information:
Full Name: William Bradford
Biography: (1663-1752) He emigrated to Philadelphia in 1685 where he set up the first press. He added a bookstore in 1688 and was in 1690 one of the founders of the first paper mills in the colonies. He was arrested for printing a pamphlet critical of the Quaker government; his trial, at which no verdict was reached, was probably the first involving freedom of the press. Bradford moved to New York City (c. 1693) where he became royal printer and issued some 400 items in the next 50 years, including the first "American Book of Common Prayer" (1710), some of the earliest of American almanacs, and many pamphlets and political writings. In 1725, the first New York newspaper, the royalist New York Gazette, was published by Bradford.
Author's Timeline:
1663		(Unknown) County
1693		New York County Moved to New York City (c. 1693) where he became royal printer and issued some 400 items in the next 50 years
1752		(Unknown) County
1725		New York County The first New York newspaper, the royalist New York Gazette, was published by Bradford.