Delaware lawyer and politician.

Studied law with Joseph Read of Philadelphia. Moved to Wilmington; admitted to the Delaware bar (1779). Member of the Continental Congress (1783-85). Attorney general of Delaware (1784-89). Delegate to Constitutional Convention (1787) and to the state convention that ratified the Constitution (1787). State senator (1788). Federal judge for the district of Delaware (1789-1812).

Son of Gunning and Susannah (Jacquett) Bedford of Philadelphia. Educated at Princeton (B.A. 1771). Married Jane Ballareau Parker (c. 1770); had issue. Often called “Junior” to distinguish him from a cousin of the same name.