Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 1.djvu/232

 College at Ajmir, while another, painted by M. Benjamin Constant in 1901, is in the possession of the family. A drawing by H. T. Wells, R.A. (1900), belongs to Grillion's Club.



BRADLEY, GEORGE GRANVILLE (1821–1903), dean of Westminster and schoolmaster, born at High Wycombe on 11 Dec. 1821, was fourth son of [q. v.]. In 1829 the family moved to Clapham, Surrey, where in 1834 Bradley became a pupil at the grammar school under [q. v.]. In August 1837 he was admitted to Rugby under Arnold and placed in the upper fifth form. On 20 March 1840 he was admitted a scholar of University College, Oxford, where his tutors were (Sir) [q. v.] and [q. v. Suppl. I], but he was more influenced by a younger fellow, [q. v.]. In 1844 he was one of four in the first class in classics and in October was elected fellow of his college. In 1845 he won the Latin essay prize. He did not reside on his fellowship but went as a master to Rugby under [q. v,]. There he soon won renown both as a teacher and as a housemaster. When in 1849 [q. v. Suppl. I] succeeded Tait there was trouble at Rugby, and Bradley, in conjunction with his colleague, T. S. Evans, saved the school from disaster. On 18 Dec. 1 849 he married Marian, fourth daughter of Benjamin Philpot, vicar general and archdeacon of Sodor and Man.

In 1858 the headmastership of Marlborough was vacated by [q. v.], who till 1852 had been one of Bradley's colleagues at Rugby, and by Cotton's desire Bradley succeeded him. He took orders on his appointment. He had no easy post. Though Cotton had begun to relieve the school of its money troubles, and introduced a public-school spirit, there was still a heavy debt, and memories of disorder were not extinct. By good management, by raising the fees, and by increasing the numbers, Bradley not only removed the debt but was able to add greatly to the school buildings. Disorder he quelled by 'inspired invective', and though the sixth form, accustomed to Cotton's gravity, was at first 'inclined to disparage the little man who had succeeded the tall and dignified head, they soon found out their mistake, and were all roused and stimulated as they had never been before by contact with an active, vigorous mind and extraordinary power of teaching' []. When in 1859 both the Balliol scholarships went to Marlburians, T. L. Papillon and C. P. Ilbert, Bradley's success was established. He kept most of the teaching of the sixth form in his own hands, and was especially successful in teaching Latin prose, while he widened the old curriculum by reading with his boys Butler's 'Analogy' and modern historical works. The general teaching he supervised by a monthly 'review' of each form; in presence of the master he took the boys through some of the work which they had been doing, and spared neither boy nor master. At the same time by the gentler side of his nature he made the boys his friends. To both sides Tennyson bore witness by sending his son Hallam 'not to Marlborough but to Bradley.' Bradley had first met Tennyson in 1841, when they were both on a visit to [q. v. Suppl. I] at Park House near Maidstone, and when in 1860 Bradley took a house near Farringford, Tennyson's residence in the Isle of Wight, the acquaintance was renewed and soon ripened into the closest friendship. At this time Marlborough won more scholarships at Oxford than any other school, Rugby alone coming at all near it. The fame of Marlborough crossed the Channel, and when in 1866 the French government sent Demogeot to study the English public-school system, he had instructions to visit Marlborough, and was warmly welcomed by Bradley.

Among Bradley's earlier buildings had been a sanatorium. The increase in numbers now made it necessary to build afresh. Instead of adding to the hostel Bradley chose to create houses and thereby modify the Spartan simplicity of the first foundation. The school had been liable to epidemics, due in part to overcrowding, and the change greatly improved both its health and its general well-being.

In 1870 Bradley left Marlborough for Oxford, succeeding as Master of University college Frederick C. Plumptre, a head of the old school with a modified interest in learning. The college had never lacked men of ability among its scholars, but most of the commoners were passmen with the reputation of a 'rackety mirth-loving' set. Bradley was 