Bradbury, William Batchelder 10/06/1816 - 01/07/1868

William Batchelder Bradbury was an American composer. During his youth, Bradbury was a student of Lowell Mason and completed studies in Boston, MA, as a pianist and organist. As of 1834 he lived in Maine and commencing in 1841 worked as a church organist at the ''First Baptist Church'' and choir director in New York City. From 1847 until 1849 he resided in England and Germany where he completed his music education. In emulation of his teacher Lowell Mason, he dedicated himself especially to the the music education of children. He organized annually in New York music festivals at which over 1000 children participated.

Bradbury composed both Sunday school cantatas ''Daniel and Esther'' which until the end of the 19th century received much acclaim. In addition, he wrote numerous church songs and released around 60 collections of songs and choirs. Especially popular was ''The Jubilee'' from 1858.