William B. Bradbury

Biography

William B. Bradbury was a musician by profession who bought an interest in the firm of Lighte & Newton, established in 1848. After he dissolved his partnership with Lighte, he found in Freeborn Garrettson Smith a capable manager for his factory, hiring him as superintendent in 1861. Bradbury died in 1867, after which Smith bought the business and continued it under the Bradbury name. A testimonial from the preacher T. DeWitt Talmage was later published praising the Bradbury piano's tone. From Spillane (1890): William B. Bradbury, described by Spillane as a distinguished pianist and teacher, joined the New York firm of Lighte & Newton in 1853, forming Lighte, Newton & Bradbury. After W. H. Newton's withdrawal the business continued as Lighte & Bradbury until 1861, when Bradbury left to manufacture pianos under his own name, producing the 'Bradbury' piano.

Highlights

• A musician by profession who bought an interest in the firm of Lighte & Newton (established 1848)
• After dissolving his partnership with Lighte, hired Freeborn G. Smith as factory manager in 1861
• Died in 1867; Smith bought the business and continued it under the Bradbury name
• Took up F. C. Lighte's business position and began the Bradbury piano business in 1861.
• A distinguished pianist and teacher who joined Lighte & Newton in 1853
• Left in 1861 to manufacture pianos under his own name, the 'Bradbury' piano

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 315.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), p. 197.

Public domain.