Bill Bradford, RIP

by Liberty and Power

I am very deeply saddened to report that my dear friend Bill Bradford passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2005 at the age of 58. He was the founder of Liberty magazine and a founding co-editor and publisher of The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies. He died at his home in Port Townsend, Washington, surrounded by family and friends, after many months of battling cancer.

Stephen Cox, the new senior editor of Liberty, has announced that"an upcoming issue [of the magazine] will feature a commemoration of Bill’s life. His work will continue."

I've posted a bit more at Notablog, but hope to contribute my thoughts more formally to that upcoming commemoration.

Rest in peace, friend.

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Chris Matthew Sciabarra - 12/12/2005

It's good to see comments here, and at Notablog too.

I agree with Roderick that Bill's views could sometimes infuriate; indeed, as I've said at Notablog, Liberty itself could infuriate and inspire, but that's the nature of the "intra-libertarian discussion" that Aeon points to.

I'm just happy that a man such as Bill was willing to put his money where his mouth was, helping to fund and launch a variety of forums for that discussion to proceed.

I'll be writing a lengthier commemoration, which will appear in the next Liberty, wherein I'll chat about the ups and downs, and the zig-zags.

Roderick T. Long - 12/11/2005

I'm very saddened to hear of Bradford's death. I confess I was often exasperated by what he wrote, but the service he did the libertarian community by creating Liberty and making JARS possible was invaluable.

I met him only once, at an APEE event in Las Vegas a couple of years ago; I found him gruff, opinionated, sincere, and charming.

Aeon J. Skoble - 12/11/2005

That's really a shame. I didn't know him personally, although we corresponded once or twice, but his _Liberty_ magazine has been a great asset to libertarianism. The idea that there ought to be intra-libertarian discussion and a magazine devoted to it was a valuable one. He was clearly a principled and dedicated person, with a true commitment to liberty. I know Steve Cox will do a great job, but Bradford will be sorely missed. I remember one time when I was still in grad school, Bradford ran some poll on most influential libertarians, and it occurred to me that he should have been on the list. Too bad. My condolences to those of you who knew him personally.

Sheldon Richman - 12/10/2005

I am saddened by the news. I first encountered Bill when he started Liberty. He will be missed, and I am glad to hear that his work will be carried on.

Kenneth R Gregg - 12/10/2005

I just heard of it myself and was about to put an entry on Bill's death. Very sorry to hear about it. There were areas in which I had disagreements with him, but he was a comrade in arms, so to speak, and will be remembered for his great success in building his magazine, Liberty.

Just a thought.
Just Ken
kgregglv@cox.net