Educated at Trinity College, Oxford, he was curate of Shobdon and vicar of Aylminster (or Aymestrey) in Herefordshire (1762). After the death of his wife, Robert Southey's Aunt Tyler was his housekeeper and afterwards his heir.

REFERENCES TO Herbert Bradford:

Robert Southey, “Memoir: My Mother,” [1820] in The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey (London: 1849-1850)

Robert Southey, “Memoir: Going to School,” 20 March 1821 in The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey (London: 1849-1850)

Robert Southey, “Memoir: The Hills; Parson Collins,” 16 November 1820 in The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey (London: 1849-1850)

Robert Southey, “Memoir: Miss Tyler,” 7 April 1821 in The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey (London: 1849-1850)