Andrew Bradford facts for kids
Andrew Bradford (born 1686 – died 1742) was an important early American printer. He lived in Philadelphia when America was still a group of colonies. He started the very first newspaper in Philadelphia. It was called The American Weekly Mercury and began in 1719. He also published the first magazine in America in 1741.
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Andrew Bradford's Life and Work
Andrew Bradford came from a family of printers. His father, William Bradford, was also a printer. His grandparents were printers too! Andrew was born in Philadelphia.
In 1692, when Andrew was young, his family moved to New York. There, he learned the printing business from his father. By 1709, Andrew was known as a printer in New York. He even turned down an offer to be the official printer for the colony of Rhode Island.
Starting His Own Print Shop
Andrew returned to Philadelphia in 1712. He opened his own print shop. On December 22, 1719, he started publishing The American Weekly Mercury. This was a big deal because it was the first newspaper in Philadelphia. Many people read it.
He also taught the printing business to his nephew, William Bradford. For a time, Andrew even employed Benjamin Franklin. Franklin later became a famous inventor and statesman. Franklin started his own rival printing press and newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, in Philadelphia.
First American Magazine
On February 13, 1741, Bradford published the first issue of the American Magazine. This was the very first magazine ever published in America. He managed to publish it just three days before Benjamin Franklin launched his own magazine!
Speaking Out for Freedom
During the 1720s, Andrew Bradford published many political writings. These writings often criticized the local government. He strongly supported the idea of "freedom of the press." This means people should be free to print their opinions without being stopped.
He also published essays called "Busy-Body" in his Mercury newspaper. These essays, written by Franklin and Joseph Breintnall, also criticized the colonial government. Because of these actions, Bradford faced trouble. He was warned several times and even spent some time in jail.
Andrew Bradford's first wife, Dorcas Boels, passed away in 1739. He then married Cornelia Smith. When Andrew died in 1742, Cornelia took over his print shop and continued to run the newspaper.
Images for kids
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The American Weekly Mercury, January 22, 1740
