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Sir William Harpur (c.1496-1573) became Lord Mayor of London. In 1566 he created the original endowment to establish a boys' school in the town of Bedford. Bedford High School for girls was opened in 1882 and there are now four Harpur Trust Schools.
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John Bunyan was imprisoned in Bedford, where he wrote "Pilgrim's Progress" |
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John Howard, whose statue is in the area near St. Paul's church, was a nonconformist who lived in the 18th century, and who denounced the dreadful conditions which existed then in prisons. The Howard League for Penal Reform is named after him.
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Charles Wells (1842-1914) was a sea-captain in the 1860s who, in order to win the girl he loved, abandoned the sea and started his now famous brewery. Four generations later the firm still remains with the family.
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Frederick Burnaby (1842-1885) , famed explorer (Asia) and military officer. From painting by Tissot. See here for more details about him.
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Harold Abrahams (1899-1978) Born in Bedford, Abrahams was one of Britain's most accomplished athletes. At the 1924 Olympics in Paris, Abraham's main British rival in sprint events, Eric Liddell, was a devout Christian and declined to compete in the 100-metre event, which was held on a Sunday; Abrahams won the gold medal, the first Englishman to win this event. (Liddell instead ran in the 400-metre, winning the gold medal.) Abrahams shared a silver medal as a member of Britain's 400-metre relay team.
Liddell's and Abrahams' experiences at the 1924 Olympics provided the subject of the 1981 film "Chariots of Fire."
Abrahams later became a lawyer, radio broadcaster, and sports administrator, serving as chairman of the British Amateur Athletics Board from 1968 to 1975. He died in 1978.
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Glenn Miller and his band was based in Bedford during the war. Many of his broadcasts were made in Bedford.
His aircraft was lost before the war ended. A bronze bust commemorating his achievements can be found on the facade of the Bedford Corn Exchange. Glen Miller concerts remain a regular feature within Bedford's calendar. |
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Terry Waite, the Archbishop of Canterbury's envoy who was kidnapped and imprisoned in Bierut for over three years. During his imprisonment a Bedford lady sent him a card, which greatly inspired him. He has made several visits to Bedford since his release. |
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The Revd. Trevor Huddlestone, tireless campaigner against apartheid in South Africa.
He was both in 1913 in Bedford, and in 1943 went to South Africa.
In 1959 he helped found the Anti-Apartheid movement, becoming President in 1981 until his death in 1998.
"Father Huddlestone was a pillar of wisdom, humility and sacrifice to the legions of freedom fighters in the darkest moments of the struggle against apartheid." (Nelson Mandela)
His bust stands at the junction of the High Street and Silver Street. Unlike other statues, it is at eye-level, to emphasize the fact that Huddlestone was a man of the people.
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Mark Rutherford, b. 1831, d.1913, the pen-name of William Hale White, novelist, critic and religious thinker. Further details of this writer can be seen here.
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Tim Foster, Olympic Champion, 2000 |
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Stephanie Cook, Olympic Champion, 2000 |
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Paula Radcliffe, team leader at the Olympics, and a keen supporter of sport in the borough.In October 2001 she was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Art degree by De Montfort University for her contribution to the sport.
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Martin Bayfield, former rugby International player |
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Ronnie Barker, comedian.
Born in Bedford in 1929.
He was awarded the OBE for services to entertainment, and in 1988 received the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Al Murray , comedian
Former Bedford School pupil, now popular celebrity on Sky Television |
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Joe Bugner, Heavyweight Boxing Champion |
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Des Morrison, the first Black Middle-weight champion in the UK |
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Matt Skelton,
Commonwealth heavyweight champion. |
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Other prominent Bedfordians include:
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Gail Emms badminton doubles 2004 Olympic silver medallist |
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Bertha Phillpotts , Scandinavian scholar and pioneer of university education for women |
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Alastair Cook , England cricketer attended Bedford School |
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John Le Mesurier , actor |
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Andy Johnson , England and Everton F.C. footballer |
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