He was born at Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmorland, the fourth son of Henry Bickersteth, a surgeon.

Bickersteth attended Kirby Longsdale Grammar School and practised as a solicitor at Norwich from 1812 to 1815.

[1] In January 1816 travelled to Africa to inspect and report on the work of the Church Missionary Society (CMS).

[3] Bickersteth's library was sold at auction by Edmund Hodgson on 17 February 1851 (and 11 following days).

His wife Sarah, whom Bickersteth married in 1812, was the eldest daughter of Thomas Bignold of Norwich, together they had six children.