William Bedford

William Bedford (1781 – 2 December 1852) was an English clergyman who became a chaplain in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania). Arrival According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Bedford was reputed to have been a stay-maker patronized by Elizabeth Fry, who interested him in prison work. Bedford was ordained as a priest in 1821, and appointed as a military chaplain for Van Diemen's Land in 1822. He arrived in Hobart Town in 1823, and replaced Robert Knopwood as minister at St David's Church. Bedford remained in this position for the rest of his life, conducting weekly services at St David's and the prisoners' barracks.