Famous New England gravesites

Milton Bradley

(b. 1836, d. 1911)

Claim to fame: Pioneer of American board games.

Buried: Springfield Cemetery, Springfield

Born in Maine, this game pioneer burst into Americana consciousness in 1860, when he debuted "The Checkered Game of Life," a version of checkers that would, 100 years later, become "The Game of Life," as we know it today, unreliable spinner, stick figures, and all. Also known for his work toward educational causes, Bradley has an elementary school named after him in Springfield, where he was buried in 1911. His company, which went on to release well-known games such as Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Twister, and Stratego (right) is now a division of Rhode Island-based Hasbro.

(Globe Staff Photo / John Blanding)
Milton Bradley (b. 1836, d. 1911) Claim to fame: Pioneer of American board games. Buried: Springfield Cemetery, Springfield Born in Maine, this game pioneer burst into Americana consciousness in 1860, when he debuted 'The Checkered Game of Life,' a version of checkers that would, 100 years later, become 'The Game of Life,' as we know it today, unreliable spinner, stick figures, and all. Also known for his work toward educational causes, Bradley has an elementary school named after him in Springfield, where he was buried in 1911. His company, which went on to release well-known games such as Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Twister, and Stratego (right) is now a division of Rhode Island-based Hasbro.