Georgia Historical Society

  2008 John Macpherson Berrien

Lifetime Achievement Awardee

Bradley Hale

Bradley Hale has always been passionate about history. As an Alabama native, he and his wife Anne have dedicated a room in the new wing of the Alabama Archives to his father, E. E. Hale.

Mr. Hale brought that love of history to Georgia. He is receiving the Georgia Historical Society's John Macpherson Berrien Award for a lifetime of achievement in Georgia history in recognition of his vision, leadership, and generosity over many years in guiding the growth of history and preservation-related organizations throughout the state and nation.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Atlanta History Center, the Georgia Trust, and the Georgia Historical Society have all benefited immensely from his indefatigable support and participation as a board member, strategist, fund raiser, and cheerleader.

His service with the Georgia Historical Society has been particularly significant. As the founder of the GHS Advisory Board in 1995, member of past strategic planning committees, and a supporter of the GHS endowment campaign, he has played a key role in moving the organization from a largely Savannah-based institution to the statewide force that it is today.

Mr. Hale currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the Georgia Historical Society. He has served as Chairman of the Atlanta Historical Society and the Georgia Trust, and served a nine-year term as a trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Mr. Hale holds B.A. in Pre-Law Studies and LL.B. degrees from the University of Alabama, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

He is a retired senior partner and former managing partner of King & Spalding, an Atlanta law firm. After a thirty-year career, Mr. Hale retired to enjoy more time with his wife, the former Anne Sheffield of Americus, their two children, and five grandchildren.