[1] Born in Houston, Texas, Bryson graduated from St. John's School in 1963 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1969 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in 1973.

After graduating from law school, Bryson clerked for Judge Henry Friendly of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Following his clerkship with Judge Friendly, he clerked for Justice Thurgood Marshall of the United States Supreme Court.

[5] On June 22, 1994, Bryson was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated by Judge Howard Thomas Markey.

[6] Bryson is married to Julia Penny Clark, an attorney specializing in labor law and employee benefits.