Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford
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July 16, 1848
Littleton Waller Tazewell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford July 16, 1848 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | July 15, 1918 (aged 69) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Burial place | Elmwood Cemetery (Norfolk, Virginia) |
| Education | Virginia Military Institute University of Virginia |
| Known for | Founder of Pi Kappa Alpha |
Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford (July 16, 1848 – July 15, 1918) was a Virginia politician and was a co-founder of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[1]
Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1848[2] to Anne Elizabeth (née Tazewell) and Edmund Bradford. His father was a veteran and graduate of the United States Military Academy, originally from Philadelphia.[2][3] Bradford grew up on his parents' estate in Princess Anne County.[2] On his paternal side, he was a descendant of William Bradford. On his maternal side, he was a descendant of Henry Tazewell. His maternal grandfather was Littleton Waller Tazewell, former Governor of Virginia and former president pro tempore of the United States Senate.[2]
Bradford was educated first at Norfolk Academy. He enrolled as a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute (V.M.I.) on February 6, 1865, and was assigned to the class of 1868.[3] At the time, V.M.I.'s cadets were headquartered in Richmond, Virginia where they supported the defense of the Confederacy's capital.[3] His cadetship lasted until April 1865, when the corps was disbanded as Federal troops moved on Richmond.[3] The cadets were directed to escape the best way possible; Bradford escaped in a canal boat, taking refuge with relatives further up the James River.[citation needed]
After the war, Bradford attended the University of Virginia.[3] He studied medicine and shared 47 West Range with his cousin, Frederick Southgate Taylor.[4] Bradford and Taylor joined four others in founding the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity on March 1, 1868.[5] All six founders had been friends at V.M.I.[5] However, he dropped out of college and entered business in Norfolk.
Bradford legally changed his surname to Tazewell, adopting the name of his maternal grandfather who had no male heir.[6][2] This change was made after the death of his uncle John Tazewell in 1869.[citation needed]
Career
Bradford, now known by the surname Tazewell, was active in business and civic life in Norfolk.[3] For twenty years, he was on the Norfolk Common Council from the Third Ward.[7][8] He served as its vice-president, chairman of the street committee, and as a member of the public parks committee.[7][9][10][11] He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving on its fire committee which worked to lower insurance rates in Norfolk.[12]