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At the Circulating Library

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

Author: John Bradshaw

Author: John Bradshaw (1839–1902)

Biography: John Bradshaw was born in 1839 in Eccles, the son of merchant John Bradshaw and his wife Jane Mary (née Hole). After attending Harrow, he joined his father's business which traded with Brazil. In 1865, he married his cousin Ada Isabel Bradshaw and the couple had no children. By his own admission, Bradshaw was a "rolling stone" and the couple visited or lived in the Americas, France, and Italy. For six years, Bradshaw operated a sheep farm in New Zealand where he was the chairman of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association. Based on his time there, he wrote two books about New Zealand: New Zealand as it is (1883) and New Zealand of To-day (1888). On his return to England in 1885, he and his wife each published several novels. Oddly, Bradshaw styled himself as a J.P. for the County of Chester—if he ever resided there, it was only for a short time. His wife died in 1900. Bradshaw died on 12 October 1902 in Sierre, Switzerland.

Author Tags:

References: Allibone; British Census (1871); Croydon Observer (24 October 1902); Surrey Advertiser (22 April 1865); Timaru Herald (26 February 1885)

Fiction Titles:

  1. Dedham Park: A Tale of Saltshire.  3 vol.  London: Sampson Low, 1885.
  2. Martin Ffrench.  3 vol.  London: Sampson Low, 1886.
  3. Raphael Ben Isaac: A Tale of 20 A.D..  2 vol.  London: Sampson Low, 1887.