James Edward "Jim" Bradford (November 1, 1928 – September 13, 2013) was an American heavyweight weightlifter.

He competed at two Olympics (1952 and 1960) and four world championships (1951, 1954, 1955 and 1959) and won silver medals on all occasions.

[3] Bradford graduated from Armstrong High School in 1946 and from Howard University in 1974.

He then received a master's degree in library science from University of the District of Columbia in 1976, and a master's degree in management and supervision from a Washington branch of Central Michigan University in 1979.

For many years he worked as a bookbinder and researcher at the Library of Congress in Washington; he also served one term as chapter president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.