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Julian Talbot Bailey was born March 22, 1859, near Barnett, Warren County, Ga. He attended Howard University, purportedly completing an M.A. degree. After teaching for a time in North Carolina, Bailey moved to Little Rock (Pulaski County, Arkansas) in 1884, where he taught at Philander Smith University, Mississippi State Normal College (1884-85) and Bethel University (where he was President during 1886-87). At the same time, he was engaged in newspaper work as editor of the Arkansas Herald and Mansion newspapers. He also began publishing the Little Rock Sun in 1885.

As an editor, Bailey was highly independent and a strong proponent of civil rights for African-Americans. Bailey expanded his newspaper work in 1888 to include the Hot Springs Sun and the Texarkana (Texas) Sun which, with the Little Rock paper, had a combined circulation of more than 6,000. Bailey was apparently an effective political speaker, as well. Julian Talbot Bailey was admitted to practice by the state supreme court in 1888 and was said by one historian to have “actively engaged in ... a large and growing practice, ...” No other evidence of a law practice has been found. Bailey was listed as an attorney only in the city directory of 1888-89.

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