Bradbury, William B.

William Batchelder Bradbury, composer, organist, pianist, conductor, and teacher; born Oct. 6, 1816, York, Me., died Jan. 7, 1868, Montclair, N.J.

From the description of William B. Bradbury collection, 1846-1928 (bulk 1847-1862). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71054496

Musician, composer, and piano manufacturer.

From the description of Licenses of William B. Bradbury, 1863. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79451200

Biographical Sketch

• 1816 October 6: Born William Batchelder Bradbury in York, Maine
• 1830: Family moves to Boston Bradbury studies with Sumner Hill Attends Lowell Mason's Boston Academy of Music Sings in Mason's Boudoin Street Church Choir
• 1830s: Works as an organist and teacher
• 1840: Becomes music director of the First Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York
• 1840s: Introduces the teaching of singing into New York City public schools
• 1841: Becomes music director of Baptist Tabernacle of New York; begins to teach children's singing in a similar style to that of Mason's school in Boston The Young Choir (compiled with Thomas Hastings) is published
• 1847 - 49 : Studies piano, singing, harmony, and composition in Europe
• 1849: Returns to United States; continues to teach, compose, and compile collections of hymns
• 1854: Forms Bradbury Piano Company with his brother, Edward G.Bradbury, and Light and Newton, the German piano manufacturers
• 1858: Music collection, The Jubilee, is published, selling over 200,000 copies
• 1861: Music collection, The Golden Chain, is published, selling 2,000,000 copies
• 1867: Music collection, Fresh Laurels, is published, selling 1,200,000 copies
• 1868 Jan. 7: Dies in Montclair, New Jersey

From the guide to the William B. Bradbury Collection, 1846-1928, (bulk 1847-1862), (Music Division Library of Congress)