BEDFORD, WILLIAM KIRKPATRICK RILAND, eldest son of Rev. William Riland Bedford, Rector of Sutton Coldfield, Warwicks., and Grace Campbell, dau. of Charles Sharpe, Hoddam, Dumfries-shire; b. 12 Jul 1826; adm. (G) 4 Jun 1839; QS 1840; left 1844; Brasenose Coll. Oxford, matr. 5 Jun 1844; Secretary, Oxford Union 1847; BA 1848; MA 1852; ordained deacon 1849, priest 1850 (both Worcester); Curate, Southwell, Notts., 1849-50; Rector of Sutton Coldfield, Warwicks., 1850-92, succeeding his uncle Richard Williamson (qv) and resigning in favour of his son William Campbell Riland Bedford (qv); Chaplain of Grand Lodge, Freemasons, 1861; Chaplain and Genealogist, Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England, 1878-1902; JP (1848) Warwickshire; a keen cricketer and expert archer; founded the Free Foresters Cricket Club 1856; winner, Arden Medal for archery at Meriden, 1857; author, The Blazon of Episcopacy, 1858, Rowing at Westminster, 1890, and other works; m. 1st, 18 Sep 1851 Maria Amy, youngest dau. of Joseph Houson, Southwell, Notts.; m. 2nd, 1900 Margaret, dau. of Denis Browne; d. 23 Jan 1905. DNB.