David Bradley (novelist)

David Bradley (born January 8, 1950) is an American novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his acclaimed and controversial novel, The Chaneysville Incident, which won the 1982 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Bradley was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and educated at the University of Pennsylvania and King's College London. He is a professor emeritus of creative writing at the University of Oregon.

Bradley's work often explores themes of race, history, and identity in America. The Chaneysville Incident, his best-known work, blends historical research, folklore, and personal narrative to investigate a mysterious mass grave in rural Pennsylvania and the complexities of African American history and memory. The novel is celebrated for its intricate structure, its complex characters, and its unflinching examination of American racial dynamics.

In addition to The Chaneysville Incident, Bradley has written the novel South Street (1975) and the collection of short stories, The Bondage of Love (2013). He has also published essays and articles on literature, culture, and politics.