Brayley collaborated with his life-long friend, John Britton, on the first 6 volumes of The Beauties of England and Wales.
After completing his apprenticeship, Brayley was employed by Henry Bone (later a Royal Academician) to prepare and fire enamelled plates for small pictures in rings and trinkets.
They entered into a literary partnership, and after minor success with songs and plays, they became joint editors of The Beauties of England and Wales, themselves writing many of the volumes.
[1] In 1823 he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries[2] and he was appointed librarian and secretary of the Russell Institution in Great Coram Street in 1825, remaining in the positions until his death.
His works include: He was the father of Edward William Brayley, who was a well-known geographer, librarian, and science author.