Bedford, William (1705-03-25 - 1747-07-10)

The exact date of birth of William Bedford is not known. He was the eldest son of Hilkiah Bedford, bishop of the nonjuring Church of England. After attending Westminster School, William Bedford was admitted sizar, aged seventeen, at St John's College, Cambridge, on 29 May 1722, graduating M.A. in 1725. On 10 September 1727, he continued his studies at Leiden University. In 1737, he was created doctor of medicine at Cambridge by royal mandate. After settling in London, Bedford was admitted a Candidate of the College of Physicians on 30 September 1737; he was elected a Fellow the following year. In 1740, he delivered the Gulstonian Lectures. His final appointment was as physician to Christ's Hospital in November 1746. Bedford died on 10 July 1747, and was buried at St Nicholas Cole Abbey, London.