UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-PX ANNUAL REPORT OF PROXY VOTING RECORD OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY Investment Company Act file number: 811-02151 --------------------------------------------- BANCROFT FUND LTD. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 65 Madison Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey 07960-7308 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Thomas H. Dinsmore Bancroft Fund Ltd. 65 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey 07960-7308 (Name and address of agent for service) Copy to: Steven B. King, Esq. Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP 1735 Market Street, 51st Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599 Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 973-631-1177 Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2009 Date of reporting period: June 30, 2009 Item 1. Proxy Voting Record Issuer: Fifth Third Bancorp Ticker symbol: FITB CUSIP: 316773209 Meeting date: 04/21/2009 For/ Proposed Voted Vote Against Matter Voted On By (Yes or No) Cast Mgmt. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. To Amend Article Fourth, Section (A)(2)(D) Management YES FOR FOR of The Second Amended Articles of Incorporation, As Amended, To Revise The Terms of the Authorized, Unissued Shares of Preferred Stock, Without Par Value. ================================================================================ Issuer: XL Capital Ticker symbol: XL CUSIP: G98255105 Meeting date: 04/24/2009 (Abstained because we no longer owned the security as of the meeting date) For/ Proposed Voted Vote Against Matter Voted On By (Yes or No) Cast Mgmt. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-01. Election of Director: Dale R. Comey Management YES ABSTAIN N/A 1-02. Election of Director: Robert R. Glauber Management YES ABSTAIN N/A 1-03. Election of Director: G. Thompson Hutton Management YES ABSTAIN N/A 2 To approve the amendment and restatement of Management YES ABSTAIN N/A the Company's 1991 Performance Incentive Program 3 To approve the amendment and restatement of Management YES ABSTAIN N/A the Company's Directors Stock & Option Plan 4 Ratification of the appointment of Management YES ABSTAIN N/A independent auditors for 2009 ================================================================================ SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Bancroft Fund Ltd. By /s/Thomas H. Dinsmore Thomas H. Dinsmore Principal Executive Officer Date: July 15, 2009