James Ware Bradbury

Democrat Senator of Maine

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1802 (99 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1901

Death

Attended common schools and Gorham Academy before graduating from Bowdoin College in 1825.
Became principal of Hallowell Academy and founded the first normal school in New Hampshire in 1829.
Studied law, was admitted to the bar, and began practicing in Augusta, Maine, in 1830.
Served as editor of the Maine Patriot and was prosecuting attorney for Kennebec County from 1834 to 1838.
Participated in the Baltimore convention of 1844, which nominated James K. Polk for the presidency.
Served as a United States Senator from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1853, and did not seek reelection.
Chaired the U.S. Senate Committee on Printing, the U.S. Senate Committee on Retrenchment, and a select committee on French spoliations during his Senate tenure.
Was a trustee of Bowdoin College starting in 1861 and held positions as corresponding secretary and then president of the Maine Historical Society from 1867 to 1887.
Became the last living person who served in the Senate during the 32nd Congress after the death of former Iowa senator George Wallace Jones in 1896.
Held the title of oldest living U.S. senator from April 4, 1893, until his death on January 6, 1901.
Was the most senior living U.S. senator (sitting or former) from June 26, 1889, until his death in 1901.