William Bradford

William Bradford was a governor of the Plymouth colony for 30 years and a key figure in the Puritans' Separatist movement.

Political Figure

March 19, 1590

May 09, 1657

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William Bradford was a prominent figure in the Puritans’ Separatist movement, playing a crucial role in shaping and stabilizing the political institutions of New England’s first permanent colony. He was among the passengers who sailed from England on the Mayflower, eventually establishing the Plymouth Colony in America. Bradford served as governor for over three decades and was instrumental in framing the Mayflower Compact. His most renowned work, “Of Plymouth Plantation,” provides a historical account of the colony’s formative years. Additionally, Bradford was pivotal in fostering a peaceful relationship with the Wampanoag people and contributed to the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday.