From 1856 to 1872, Bright was a schoolmaster at Marlborough College, where he was Head of the Modern Department, under George Granville Bradley as Master.

Bright was a progressive leader at Oxford, helping to improve teaching standards and arguing that theological degrees could be awarded to non-members of the Church of England.

[12] Bright described Shelley as "the rebel of eighty years ago", "the hero of the present century", and "a prophet who prophesied good things, and not bad".

[8] In addition to academic activities, Bright was a member of the Oxford City Council, and Treasurer of the Radcliffe Infirmary.

[13] He was lord of the manor of Brockbury in Colwall, Herefordshire, having inherited the estate by the will of his uncle Henry Bright MP in 1869.