   bradley university is a private, mid-sized university in peoria, illinois. founded in 1897, bradley university currently enrolls 5,700 students.  ==history== thumb|300px|right|bradley hall is one of the first buildings constructed for the university and bears the name of the university's founder. the bradley polytechnic institute was founded by philanthropist lydia moss bradley in 1897 in memory of her husband tobias and their six children, all of whom died early and suddenly, making bradley a childless widow. the bradleys had discussed establishing an orphanage in memory of their deceased children. after some study and travel to various institutions, mrs. bradley decided instead to found a school where young people could learn how to do practical things to prepare them for living in the modern world. as a first step toward her goal, in 1892 she purchased a controlling interest in parsons horological school in laporte, indiana, the first school for watchmakers in america, and moved it to peoria. she specified in her will that the school should be expanded after her death to include a classical education as well as industrial arts and home economics: "...it being the first object of this institution to furnish its students with the means of living an independent, industrious and useful life by the aid of a practical knowledge of the useful arts and sciences." in october 1896 mrs. bradley was introduced to dr. william rainey harper, president of the university of chicago. he soon convinced her to move ahead with her plans and establish the school during her lifetime. bradley polytechnic institute was chartered on november 13, 1896. mrs. bradley provided  of land, $170,000 for buildings, equipment, and a library, and $30,000 per year for operating expenses. contracts for bradley hall and horology hall (now westlake) were awarded in april and work moved ahead quickly. fourteen faculty and 150 students began classes in bradley hall on october 4âwith 500 workers still hammering away. (the horological department added another eight faculty and 70 students.) 
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