William Kirkpatrick Riland Bedford

William Kirkpatrick Riland Bedford (1826–1905) was an English clergyman and author, known as an antiquary and genealogist, and also as a cricketer.

Born at Sutton Coldfield rectory on 12 July 1826, he was eldest of five sons of William Riland Bedford the rector, by his wife Grace Campbell, daughter of Charles Sharpe of Hoddam, Dumfriesshire; Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe was his mother's brother.

An attack of scarlet fever made him miss that chance, and on 6 June 1844 he matriculated as a commoner at Brasenose College.

[1] In 1849 Bedford was ordained to the curacy of Southwell, Nottinghamshire, and in 1850 he succeeded his uncle, Dr. Williamson, as rector of Sutton Coldfield.

[1] He commissioned the house that eventually became the core of Good Hope Hospital for his son, W.C. Riland Bedford.

[1] Other publications were: a Memoir of Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, his uncle, written from family papers (1888); The Blazon of Episcopacy (1858; 2nd edit.