Richard Moore Bishop was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, and received business training in his home state.

[1] In 1877, the Democrats nominated Bishop for governor, and he defeated Republican William H. West and three other candidates with a plurality, but not majority of the votes.

[3] Bishop served a single two-year term as governor, and was not re-nominated by his party.

He made political appointments without consulting party leaders and his selections were the cause of much trouble between the Governor and some strong men who helped to elect him.

In addition to these things his son exercised altogether too much influence in the State House for the good of his father's administration.