Sarah H. (Sarah Hopkins) Bradford

Born in New York in 1818 and living until 1912, Sarah Hopkins Bradford was an American writer and historian. She is best known today for two early biographical books on Harriet Tubman, works that helped introduce Tubman’s life and achievements to many readers in the 19th century.

Bradford wrote much more than biography. Sources describe her as a prolific author of children’s literature as well, with some work published under the name Cousin Cicely. That mix of historical writing and accessible storytelling helps explain why her books remained visible long after their first publication.

Although her name is now most closely tied to Tubman, Bradford’s broader career shows a writer interested in education, character, and popular history. For listeners coming to her through an audiobook library, she stands out as an author whose writing helped preserve stories that might otherwise have been lost or less widely known.