Abstract
Dan Bradley was a pioneer of laser physics and technology. He was internationally distinguished for his seminal work on broad-band, wavelength-tuneable lasers, the generation of ultra-short pulses, and the development of the technology that allowed the only direct temporal characterization of optical pulses with sub-picosecond resolution. He was responsible for the creation of two major UK university laser research centres and was a leading proponent for the formation of the UK Central Laser Facility, establishing the foundations of a vivacious living legacy in UK laser physics.