James Bradley

Photo taken by: John Kubler, Erlanger, KY

Biography written by Karl Lietzenmayer

James Bradley was the first African-American
student enrolled at the Lane Theological Seminary,
Cincinnati, subsequently at the Sheffield Manual
Labor Institute, an outpost of the Oberlin Collegiate
Institute. Captured as a small child in central Africa,
he was sold into slavery. During his time as a slave,
Bradley regretted his lack of schooling and in his
autobiography (following) he mentions carrying
around a spelling book in his hat, from which he
taught himself the alphabet in spare moments.
Purchasing his freedom, he crossed to Cincinnati at
Covington.

In 1834 Bradley was part of the famous
slavery debates as the only African American
participant. After the “Lane Rebels” left
Lane Seminary, Bradley then attended the Sheffield
school associated with Oberlin College. The Sheffield
Institute planned to grow mulberry trees on which to
nurture silkworms to create silk. The project failed
and the institute only lasted one year. Unfortunately,
nothing is known about Bradley’s life after the school
folded.