Robert W. Bradbury was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 3, 1905, and grew up in Mexico City. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Albion College and his master’s and doctorate in Economics from the University of Michigan. He taught at the University of Michigan, Louisiana State University, and Thunderbird before coming to the University of Florida in 1950. He spent 25 years as an active faculty member and retired in 1975, after which he continued as a Professor Emeritus.

During his career, he served in the State Department, received two Fulbright Fellowships, directed a Peace Corps Training Project, and lectured in every country in Central and South America. He particularly enjoyed mentoring the numerous master's and doctoral candidates for whom he served as advisor.

The fund for the lecture was established in 1994 by Joan Bradbury Kayser and R. Douglas Bradbury to honor their father on his upcoming 90th birthday by creating an annual lecture series in international economics.

Professor Bradbury passed away on August 22, 1996, at the age of 91, but was able to attend the first of the Bradbury Lectures.