Joseph P. Bradley

Date of Birth: March 14, 1813

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: January 22, 1892

Biography

Joseph P. Bradley was an influential Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from 1870 until his death in 1892. Born in Berne, New York, Bradley was a self-taught lawyer who rose to prominence through his extensive legal knowledge and dedication to public service. He began his career in private practice before being appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ulysses S. Grant. Bradley is perhaps best known for his role in the Electoral Commission that decided the controversial 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden. Throughout his tenure on the Court, Bradley made significant contributions to the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment and the development of corporate law. He was also a key figure in several landmark cases, including the Civil Rights Cases of 1883 and the Slaughter-House Cases.

5 Interesting Facts about Joseph P. Bradley

1. Joseph P. Bradley was self-educated in law, having read legal texts extensively after graduating from Rutgers University in 1836.

2. He played a crucial role in the 1876 Electoral Commission, casting the decisive vote that led to Rutherford B. Hayes becoming President.

3. Bradley was a staunch supporter of the Union during the Civil War and believed in the importance of federal power.

4. He was involved in the Civil Rights Cases of 1883, where he authored the opinion that struck down the Civil Rights Act of 1875.

5. Bradley was known for his detailed and exhaustive legal opinions, which often included extensive historical analysis.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joseph P. Bradley

1. “The law is reason free from passion.”

2. “In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”

3. “The judiciary must keep the balance true between the rights of the individual and the powers of the government.”

4. “Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it.”

5. “Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Joseph P. Bradley’s highest net worth is not documented, as historical records from his era typically do not provide this information. However, as a Supreme Court Justice, his annual salary would have been around $10,000 at the peak of his career, a significant sum at the time.

Children

Joseph P. Bradley had four children with his wife, Mary Hornblower Bradley. Their names were Charles Bradley, Joseph Bradley Jr., William Bradley, and Mary Bradley.