Stephen Row Bradley

Democratic Republican Senator of Vermont

Senator
Vermont
October 24, 1791 - March 3, 1795
Senator
Vermont
December 7, 1801 - March 3, 1807
Senator
Vermont
October 26, 1807 - March 3, 1813

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1754 (76 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1830

Death

Served as a United States Senator from Vermont and as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in the early 1800s.
Born in Wallingford, Connecticut, and graduated from Yale College in 1775.
Commissioned as captain in the Connecticut Militia during the American Revolutionary War, eventually serving as aide-de-camp during the British attack on Danbury.
Studied law after the war and was admitted to the bar in 1779, beginning his practice in Westminster, Vermont.
Played a significant role in Vermont’s early political landscape, including defending Vermont’s right to independence and serving in the Vermont House of Representatives, where he was also a speaker.
Held various local and state judicial positions, including judge of the Vermont Superior Court and the Vermont Supreme Court.
Instrumental in settling Vermont’s boundary disputes with New Hampshire.
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1791, defeated for reelection in 1794, but then reelected in 1801 and again in 1807.
Credited with writing the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Opposed the War of 1812 despite being a member of the Democratic-Republican party.
Retired from politics in 1813 and moved to Walpole, New Hampshire, where he lived until his death.
Known for his intelligence and eccentricity, he was a respected lawyer and orator.
Held a lifelong fellowship at Middlebury College and received honorary degrees from Middlebury and Dartmouth colleges.
Married three times and had five children, with his son William Czar Bradley also becoming a politician.
Died in Walpole, New Hampshire, and is interred at Westminster Cemetery in Vermont.